Software Engineer

Illumina; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology company in Cambridge seeks a Software Engineer to join their software team. This role involves developing software for genomic data processing, working within Agile teams, and contributing to meaningful healthcare solutions. Ideal candidates have strong backend development skills in Python, experience with REST APIs, and familiarity with tools like Docker and Kubernetes. This position offers a hybrid working model and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive employee benefits program

Collaborative work environment

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Collaborative and detail-oriented.
• Experience in Agile teams.
• Strong backend development skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain full-stack applications.
• Maintain software designs and make code changes.
• Ensure software compliance with quality management.

Skills

Backend development with Python

REST APIs

Client-side frameworks like AngularJS

CI/CD pipelines

Docker

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related engineering subject

Tools

Git and GitHub

Linux command line

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.

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 people’s 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, containerization 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 practices.

Preferred Requirements:

• Team player who instinctively documents and shares information.
• Developing backend applications and REST APIs in Python.
• Web development experience, preferably with client-side MVC frameworks such as AngularJS.
• Packaging and deploying software using Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm.
• Maintaining CI/CD pipelines for continuous software delivery.
• Designing and maintaining relational databases, preferably PostgreSQL and MySQL.
• Version control using Git and GitHub.
• Proficient at the Linux command line.

Desirable:

• Software development within a regulated environment, ideally to medical device standards.
• Developing event-driven software using Kafka or RabbitMQ.
• Experience with LIMS development.
• Software development using AWS services.
• Experience with NoSQL, preferably MongoDB.
• Java and Golang experience.
• Dashboarding and alerting using Grafana.

Preferred 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 recognizes 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.

Inclusion and Diversity

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 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 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 in accordance with all applicable 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.