Airline technology is in the midst of one of its biggest reinventions in decades. As carriers pivot from being operators to digital retailers, the talent landscape is changing just as rapidly. Demand is rising for professionals who can bridge the gap between legacy complexity and digital agility. If you’re wondering where the action is, here are the five most sought-after roles shaping airline tech in 2025.
- NDC and Offer/Order Product Leads
Airlines are moving fast to modernise their retailing infrastructure. Product leaders who understand the Offer/Order model—and how to operationalise it within complex ecosystems—are in short supply. These roles demand a rare combination of technical fluency, commercial mindset, and the ability to drive alignment between revenue management, distribution, and digital.
Why it matters: The shift from PSS-led to retail-led architectures depends on leaders who can turn standards into strategy and platforms into profit.
- API and Integration Engineers
As airlines decouple legacy systems and build composable architectures, integration becomes the heartbeat of innovation. API engineers who can design, secure, and scale microservices are among the most in-demand hires globally.
Why it matters: Every new retail capability—from real-time offers to modern payment options—depends on robust, well-structured integration layers.
- Data Scientists in Pricing and Personalisation
Airline retailing is becoming data-led. The ability to interpret customer behaviour, predict demand, and optimise offers dynamically is now a differentiator. Data scientists with experience in predictive analytics, AI-driven pricing, and customer segmentation are being snapped up across the sector.
Why it matters: The airlines leading in retail personalisation are already generating measurable gains in ancillary revenue and conversion rates.
- Cloud Platform Architects
Many airlines are accelerating their move to the cloud—driven by the need for flexibility, resilience, and data accessibility. Architects who can design scalable cloud-native environments tailored to airline use cases are highly sought after, particularly those with experience in multi-cloud or hybrid environments.
Why it matters: Cloud foundations underpin the agility required for real-time offer generation, order management, and analytics at scale.
- Digital Product Managers for eCommerce and Payments
As airlines evolve their digital storefronts, they’re seeking product managers who think like retailers. These professionals understand conversion, checkout friction, and customer journey optimisation as deeply as they understand airline workflows.
Why it matters: Great product management is now a commercial advantage. The best PMs balance user-centred design with data-driven growth tactics.
The takeaway:
The hottest jobs in airline tech today all sit at the intersection of technology, data, and retail thinking. They’re roles that demand curiosity, collaboration, and an appetite for transformation. For hiring leaders, the competition for this talent is fierce—and those who build the right blend of technical depth and retail mindset will be the ones who define the next generation of airline commerce.