Senior Software Engineer

Illumina; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading genetics company located in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join its software team. The role involves developing applications to support genomic data processing and maintenance in a collaborative environment. Candidates should have strong backend development skills, particularly with Python and REST APIs, and experience with Agile methodologies. This position offers a dynamic work culture and opportunities to contribute to significant healthcare innovations.

Benefits

Competitive employee benefits

Inclusive work environment

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Experience in backend development with Python and REST APIs.
• Comfortable using CI/CD pipelines and containerization tools.
• Strong grasp of relational databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with team members to develop and maintain applications.
• Ensure compliance with the software development lifecycle.
• Provide technical assistance for operational issues.

Skills

Backend development with Python

REST APIs

Client-side frameworks (AngularJS)

CI/CD pipelines

Containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes)

Relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL)

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Job description

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients. Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Senior Software Engineer – Cambridge (Granta Park), Hybrid.

Illumina Lab Services (ILS) has an exciting opportunity for a talented software engineer to join its software team. This team builds software used by scientists to track and process large quantities of clinical genomic data and was instrumental in delivering the 100,000 genomes project. Building on this success, ILS is in the next phase to deliver whole-genome DNA sequencing into routine healthcare in partnership with Genomics England and the NHS. To help achieve this, the software team is looking for a software engineer to help with the development and maintenance of the software that manages laboratory operations.

You’ll join a highly motivated team of software and test engineers that work closely with other teams across ILS, including bioinformatics and lab operations. The culture is collaborative, process- driven and fast-paced, and follows an Agile development methodology . With day-to-day activities spanning the entire development lifecycle you’ll be involved in hands-on development, code review , deployment activities and technical support . Over time you’ll also provide input into software specifications through requirements review and producing architecture definitions and designs. Most importantly, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary group that delivers software solutions to enable cutting-edge sequencing operations that make a difference to peoples’ lives.

Why You You’re a collaborative and detail-oriented software engineer who thrives in Agile teams and enjoys working across the full development lifecycle. You bring strong experience in backend development with Python and REST APIs, and ideally have worked with client-side frameworks like AngularJS. You’re comfortable with CI/CD pipelines, containerisation tools like Docker and Kubernetes, and have a solid grasp of relational databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL. Experience with regulated environments, cloud services (AWS), and event-driven architectures (Kafka or RabbitMQ) would be a plus. You’re a natural communicator who documents and shares knowledge instinctively, and you’re motivated by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful healthcare innovation.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with software engineers, test engineers and product owners to develop, test and maintain full-stack applications and services in Agile teams.

• Maintain software designs and implement code changes to ensure alignment with software requirements.

• Ensure that software is developed following our software development life cycle and in compliance with our quality management system.

• Collaborate with test engineers to increase our test automation coverage.

• Provide technical assistance to escalated operational issues.

• Contribute to a shared responsibility for devops best practice.

Preferred Re quirements :

• Team player who instinctively documents and shares information.

• D eveloping back-end applications and REST APIs in Python .

• Web development experience, preferably with client-side MVC Frameworks such as AngularJS.

• P ackaging and deploying software using Docker , Kubernetes and Helm.

• Maintaining CI/CD pipelines for continuous software delivery.

• D esigning and maintaining relational databases , preferably PostgreSQL and MySQL.

• V ersion control using Git and GitHub.

• Proficient at the Linux command line.

Desirable :

• Software development within a regulated environment, ideally to medical device standards.

• D eveloping event-driven software using Kafka or RabbitMQ .

• Experience with LIMS development.

• S oftware development using AWS services.

• Experience with NoSQL, preferab ly MongoDB.

• Java and Golang experience.

• Dashboarding and alerting using Grafana.

Preferred Experience/Education :

• Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, or a related engineering subject.

What Can You Expect Our team members are bright, energetic, and dedicated – they are the driving force behind our innovation and impact. To attract the best and brightest, we offer a competitive employee benefits program. We view it as a smart investment in our people, one that recognises the tremendous value they bring to our business every day. At Illumina, we push boundaries. We think beyond the conventional. We dream big. With the energy of so many bright and accomplished people, the opportunities are endless. INDEUR
We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.