Automation QA Engineer – Genomics / Bioinformatics

Nova Web Technologies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Web Technologies in San Diego, CA is seeking an experienced Automation QA Engineer – Genomics / Bioinformatics to support QA for software platforms used in genomics, sequencing, and life sciences workflows.

The role focuses on designing, developing, and executing automated and manual testing, with strong emphasis on Python-based test automation, data integrity, and LIMS integration, in collaboration with wet lab and dry lab teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in CS, bioinformatics, bioengineering, life sciences, or related field.
• 3+ years in QA, quality engineering, or test automation.
• Strong Python for developing automated tests.
• Experience with pytest, unittest, or Robot Framework.
• Genomics concepts and data formats familiarity.
• Experience in Life Sciences/Biotech/Bioinformatics environments.
• Testing wet lab and/or dry lab workflows.
• Experience testing with LIMS platforms.
• Functional, integration, regression, and data-validation testing.
• Ability to align software with laboratory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain Python-based automated tests for genomics data workflows.
• Create and execute test plans, regression suites, and automation strategies.
• Perform functional, integration, regression, and data-validation testing.
• Validate outputs against sequencing and variant calling concepts.
• Collaborate with wet and dry lab teams to understand sample lifecycles.
• Translate lab workflows into effective software test scenarios.
• Test integrations with LIMS including sample tracking and data handoffs.
• Identify, document, and track defects to resolution.
• Partner with engineering, product, and QA to perform root-cause analysis.
• Ensure data integrity, audit trails, and traceability in life sciences software.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD and improve coverage.

Skills

Python

Test automation

QA / Quality Eng

Genomics / Bioinformatics

LIMS

CI/CD

Wet lab workflows

Dry lab workflows

Data validation

Communication

Education

CS degree

Bioinformatics degree

Bioengineering degree

Life sciences degree

Tools

pytest

unittest

Robot Framework

Postman

Selenium

API automation

Job description

Location:San Diego, CA
Experience:3+ Years
Employment Type:Contract

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experiencedAutomation QA Engineer – Genomics / Bioinformaticsto 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 strongPython-based test automation expertisewith practical knowledge of genomics, bioinformatics, and laboratory workflows.

This is aquality 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 withLIMS (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 inComputer Science, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of experience inQA, Quality Engineering, or Test Automation.
• Strong hands-on experience withPythonfor developing automated tests.
• Experience with Python testing frameworks such aspytest, 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 aLife Sciences, Biotech, Genomics, or Bioinformatics environment.
• Experience working with or testingwet lab and/or dry lab workflows.
• Experience testing or integrating withLIMS 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 anAutomation 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 asPostman, Selenium, or similar technologies.
• Experience integrating automated testing intoCI/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..

Technical Skills:

Required:

• 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