Optimization Expert (Aviation Scheduling)

Job Description

Jeppesen Foreflight is one of the largest software development companies in Gothenburg. We develop and implement advanced Crew and Operations Management solutions used by several of the world’s leading airlines. From smarter crew scheduling to better aircraft utilization, our software systems make a real impact on global travel.

At Jeppesen’s office in central Gothenburg you will work in a one-of-a-kind software development organization with solutions that make a real difference to people around the world. You will be working in an agile learning organization, surrounded by a team of talented, creative and dedicated colleagues. You will learn and broaden your perspective by working with 400 professionals from more than 50 different nations but also be part of a global organization allowing for collaboration with customers and colleagues across the world. Most importantly, you will be expected to make a difference.

We're looking for Optimization Experts to join our Tracking Optimization team in Gothenburg and help solve complex, real-world optimization challenges in the aviation industry — especially real-time crew scheduling and disruption management.

Our mission is to create efficient and robust crew assignments that:

• minimize operational cost,

• comply with strict regulatory constraints, and

• adapt quickly to disruptions such as delays, aircraft changes, and crew unavailability.

To do this, we use methods such as column generation and mixed-integer programming (MIP). Where applicable, we also apply local search / metaheuristics — and Machine Learning and AI are becoming an increasingly central part of how we work.

AI is part of where we're going

We're on a real journey with AI: agents and models are becoming part of how we design, build, test and operate optimization software — and, over time, how our roles and team structures evolve. We want people who are already comfortable working with AI agents and models (including LLMs), who use AI in their daily engineering, and who want to help shape that change rather than watch it happen. You don't need to be an AI researcher — but you should be hands-on and curious about applying agents and models to real problems, and open to how the way we work will shift.

You'll work in a small team of skilled optimization and software engineering professionals. The role is end-to-end: from core algorithm development and research to implementation in production and collaboration with customers. While your focus is optimization, you'll also contribute to our C++ codebase. We value collaboration and regularly use pair- and mob-programming to build high-quality software.

We work with a strong Software Craftsmanship mindset — design, testability, and continuous improvement. You'll also be part of our Optimization Community of Practice (CoP) and help drive our AI/ML initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve optimization algorithms for real-time crew scheduling and recovery

• Model operational constraints (regulatory, contractual, and practical)

• Implement, test, and maintain solutions in a production C++ environment

• Use AI agents and models in your daily work — development, testing, and exploring solutions — and help the team get more from them

• Explore where ML/AI can strengthen optimization and crew scheduling, and help shape new ways of working as AI changes our roles

• Collaborate closely with product, engineering, and customers to deliver usable solutions

• Contribute to technical direction, experimentation, and knowledge sharing

Basic qualifications

• Have a PhD or Master's degree and 5+ years of experience in (or adjacent to) mathematical optimization

• Are comfortable working with AI agents and models (e.g. LLMs/Copilot-style tools) in development and problem-solving — and keen to go further

• Enjoy solving hard problems and have a talent for making complex things understandable

• Are a team-oriented developer who is comfortable with pair/mob programming

• Like experimenting, learning fast, and sharing outcomes (including failures)

• Thrive in agile ways of working and are open to how AI will reshape them

• Are fluent in English (written and spoken)

Preferred qualifications

• Strong or growing skills in C++

• Hands-on experience applying AI/ML or building/using AI agents and models in real work

• Experience working in a Linux environment

• Some experience with Python

• Interest or experience with large-scale scheduling / combinatorial optimization

• Interest or experience in the airline industry

Why You Should Join:

At Jeppesen ForeFlight, we know you want a rewarding career. To do that, you need challenging projects, a good work environment, and awesome coworkers. We believe in our employees and empower them to make a direct impact on our products and services messaging. We strive to provide employees and their loved ones with a world-class benefits experience, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Our benefits package includes but is not limited to the following:

• Medical Insurance

• Employer paid life, AD&D, and long term disability insurance

• Health and wellness reimbursement allowance

• Pension plan

• 30 paid vacation days, as well as additional days off for Christmas break

• Employee assistance program

• 2 days off to volunteer annually

• Employee referral program

• Flight rewards and flight stipend