Automation QA Engineer – Genomics / Bioinformatics

Nova Web Technologies LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Part time

Job summary

Nova Web Technologies LLC seeks an experienced Automation QA Engineer with a genomics focus to design, implement, and maintain automated tests for software supporting sequencing and life sciences workflows.

The role requires strong Python test automation, familiarity with genomics concepts, and experience validating complex data outputs in both wet and dry lab contexts. Work will involve CI/CD integration and collaboration with cross-functional teams in a contract setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree required in CS, bioinformatics, bioengineering, life sciences, or related field.
• 3+ years of QA/Quality Engineering or Test Automation experience.
• Strong hands-on Python for automated tests.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test suites using Python for genomics and life sciences data workflows.
• Develop and execute test plans, regression suites, and automation strategies.
• Perform functional, integration, regression, and data-validation testing across genomics software.
• Validate outputs against sequencing data, variant calling, and sample-to-result lifecycles.
• Collaborate with wet/dry lab teams to understand sample lifecycles and data handoffs.
• Translate lab workflows into effective software test scenarios.
• Test integrations with LIMS including tracking, chain of custody, and results.
• Identify, document, prioritize, and track defects to resolution.
• Partner with engineering, product, and QA teams for root-cause分析 and fixes.
• Validate data integrity, audit trails, traceability, and regulated software requirements.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and improve test coverage.

Skills

Python

pytest

unittest

Robot Framework

Test automation

Functional testing

Integration testing

Regression testing

Data validation

Genomics

LIMS

Wet lab workflows

Dry lab workflows

Defect management

CI/CD

Genomics / Bioinformatics

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, or a closely related field

Tools

Postman

Selenium

Job description

Location: San Diego, CA

Experience: 3+ Years

Employment Type: Contract

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Automation QA Engineer – Genomics / Bioinformatics to support quality engineering for software platforms used in genomics, sequencing, and life sciences workflows. This role focuses on designing, developing, and executing automated and manual testing for applications that process genomic and laboratory data. The ideal candidate combines strong Python-based test automation expertise with practical knowledge of genomics, bioinformatics, and laboratory workflows. This is a quality engineering role rather than a bioinformatics pipeline development role. The successful candidate will validate application and pipeline outputs, ensure genomic data is processed accurately, and verify that software behavior aligns with real-world wet lab and dry lab processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test suites using Python for applications supporting genomics, sequencing, and life sciences data workflows.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, test cases, regression suites, and automated testing strategies.
• Perform functional, integration, regression, and data-validation testing across genomics and laboratory software applications.
• Validate application behavior against genomics concepts, including sequencing data, variant calling outputs, sample-to-result traceability, and genomic data workflows.
• Collaborate with wet lab and dry lab teams to understand sample lifecycles, laboratory processes, instrument outputs, and data handoffs.
• Translate laboratory workflows and scientific requirements into effective software test scenarios.
• Test integrations with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems), including sample tracking, chain of custody, data handoffs, and result reporting.
• Identify, document, prioritize, and track software defects through resolution.
• Partner with engineering, product, and QA teams to perform root-cause analysis and resolve quality issues.
• Validate data integrity, audit trails, traceability, and other quality considerations relevant to life sciences software.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and continuously improve test coverage and execution efficiency.
• Maintain test data and contribute to improvements in automation frameworks and QA processes.
• Participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, sprint planning, defect triage, and release validation activities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of experience in QA, Quality Engineering, or Test Automation.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Python for developing automated tests.
• Experience with Python testing frameworks such as pytest, unittest, or Robot Framework.
• Working knowledge of genomics fundamentals, including:
  • Sequencing concepts
  • Genomic data workflows
  • Sample-to-data lifecycle
  • Common genomics data/file formats
  • Variant calling concepts and outputs
• Demonstrated experience working with software in a Life Sciences, Biotech, Genomics, or Bioinformatics environment.
• Experience working with or testing wet lab and/or dry lab workflows.
• Experience testing or integrating with LIMS platforms.
• Strong understanding of functional, integration, regression, and data-validation testing.
• Ability to validate software and data outputs against scientific and laboratory requirements.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, defect-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with software engineers, QA teams, scientists, and laboratory personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working specifically as an Automation QA Engineer / Quality Engineer within a Bioinformatics or Genomics organization.
• Familiarity with cloud-based genomics platforms, life sciences data lakes, or cloud-based laboratory systems.
• Experience with API testing and automation tools such as Postman, Selenium, or similar technologies.
• Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with healthcare and life sciences compliance considerations such as:
  • HIPAA
  • CLIA
  • CAP
  • 21 CFR Part 11
• Understanding of data integrity, audit trails, traceability, and regulated software environments.
• Experience working with laboratory instruments, instrument‑generated data, or downstream genomic analysis results..

Required

Technical Skills:

• Python
• pytest / unittest / Robot Framework
• Test automation
• Functional and integration testing
• Regression testing
• Data validation
• Genomics / Bioinformatics
• LIMS
• Wet lab / Dry lab workflows
• Defect management
• CI/CD

Preferred

• Postman
• Selenium
• API automation
• Cloud-based genomics platforms
• Data lakes
• Healthcare / Life Sciences compliance
• Laboratory information systems