Sr. Software Engineer

Illumina; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Illumina in the United States is seeking a Sr. Software Engineer in Test to lead automation and verification across instrument software subsystems. You will develop automated tests, test environments, and CI/CD workflows, integrating software with hardware in NGS platforms.

The role emphasizes collaboration, design input, and mentoring peers to mature quality practices while ensuring release-ready software delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven expertise with testing frameworks such as MSTest, Mocha, Jest, Selenium, Cypress, or similar.
• Experience with multiple programming languages/environments (e.g., C#/.NET, JavaScript, Python).
• Experience developing automation tools and test infrastructure using Shell Scripting (Bash/Linux environments) is highly desirable.
• Experience with AWS infrastructure is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Integration & Test Strategy: Contribute to and help refine the software integration and verification strategy across a set of software components and subsystems, providing input to product-level integration approaches.
• System Design: Create test and integration design proposals at the subsystem level. Evaluate system design in the context of the integration strategy, identify risks and improvement opportunities, and collaborate with Architects and other technical leaders on continuous improvement.
• Development and Testing: Develop automated test suits, test environments, and automation infrastructure, with guidance as needed on more complex or cross-subsystem work. Develop tools and services that support the integration and testing process. Investigate and diagnose issues.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate and communicate with multiple functions across the organization. Support integration planning with program leads, and identify and communicate integration risks within your area of responsibility and at critical interfaces to other teams.
• Monitor and Measure Success: Track development progress within your area of responsibility, elevate risks, and propose improvements to software integration and verification processes.
• Mentorship: Mentor supporting engineers on technical skills in test automation and integration; collaborate with functional managers to share performance-related feedback where relevant.

Job description

Company Overview

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. We are seeking a results-oriented Sr. Software Engineer in Test to contribute to SW Integration and Verification for Instrument SW products. In this role, you will own the automation & verification of small-to-medium software subsystems and contribute test and integration design proposals that feed product-level integration, helping deliver integrated and verified SW packages into our Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) products. You will help build efficient integration workflows and scalable automation frameworks, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and support the practices that ensure high-quality SW systems and release-ready software delivery. The ideal candidate brings strong, hands-on expertise in integrating complex SW with HW systems, verification testing methodologies, modern automation frameworks, and CI/CD tooling, along with a genuine interest in mentoring peers and helping mature quality practices within the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Integration & Test Strategy: Contribute to and help refine the software integration and verification strategy across a set of software components and subsystems, providing input to product-level integration approaches.
• System Design: Create test and integration design proposals at the subsystem level. Evaluate system design in the context of the integration strategy, identify risks and improvement opportunities, and collaborate with Architects and other technical leaders on continuous improvement.
• Development and Testing: Develop automated test suits, test environments, and automation infrastructure, with guidance as needed on more complex or cross-subsystem work. Develop tools and services that support the integration and testing process. Investigate and diagnose issues.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate and communicate with multiple functions across the organization. Support integration planning with program leads, and identify and communicate integration risks within your area of responsibility and at critical interfaces to other teams.
• Monitor and Measure Success: Track development progress within your area of responsibility, elevate risks, and propose improvements to software integration and verification processes.
• Mentorship: Mentor supporting engineers on technical skills in test automation and integration; collaborate with functional managers to share performance-related feedback where relevant.

Qualifications

• Technical Skills
  • Proven expertise with testing frameworks such as MSTest, Mocha, Jest, Selenium, Cypress, or similar.
  • Experience with multiple programming languages/environments (e.g., C#/.NET, JavaScript, Python).
  • Experience developing automation tools and test infrastructure using Shell Scripting (Bash/Linux environments) is highly desirable.
  • Experience with AWS infrastructure is a plus.
• Collaboration
  • Ability to work effectively across disciplines and establish relationships with internal customers, understanding their needs and expectations.
  • Demonstrated success collaborating in a fast-paced team environment and delivering high-quality software using established agile methodologies (such as Scrum, Kanban, etc.) against formal schedules.
• Analytical Skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Communication
  • Able to communicate project status, risk, and recommendations to multi-disciplinary teams, and to make presentations to Senior Management with oversight.
  • Tailors communication style to the audience.
• Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving
  • Problem-solving mindset with a data-driven approach.
• Domain Knowledge
  • Ability to contribute to software system design.
  • Knowledge of hardware/firmware development, medical software, healthcare regulations, cybersecurity best practices, and industry standards is desirable.
  • Experience with NGS and Bioinformatics is a plus.
  • Experience integrating software with complex hardware systems is a plus.

Experience and Education

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field (e.g., Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering).
• Medical Device or regulated industry experience is a plus.

Additional Skills

• Experience with tools such as JIRA, Confluence, GitHub, GitHub Actions, TeamCity, or their equivalents is required.
• Experience with software quality patterns and practices (continuous integration, static analysis, unit testing, integration testing) is required.
• Development experience with containers and container platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), and developing software solutions on Linux, is a plus.
• Applied experience with AI tools such as Copilot or Claude is a plus.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to work on innovative products that make a real difference in healthcare and research.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.

Salary and Benefits

• The estimated base salary range for the Sr. Software Engineer role based in the United States of America is: $129,400 - $194,000. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly.
• All employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package.
• We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

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.

The potential of genomics to change the world is unparalleled. At Illumina, we are leading the way. Our technology empowers researchers and clinicians globally to improve cancer treatments, change the course of diseases, protect the environment, and fight food insecurity. We are made up of dedicated professionals, all-in on creating a better world – and we need every skill set on our path to making genomics useful for all. Learn more about life at Illumina.

Illumina has been made aware of fraudulent schemes in which individuals falsely claim to represent Illumina, our Talent Acquisition team, or our Human Resources organization. Please note: All legitimate Illumina career opportunities are posted on the Illumina Careers website. Illumina will never ask candidates to pay fees, transfer money, purchase equipment, or provide banking information during the recruitment process. Illumina does not extend employment offers without a formal interview process. Official recruiting communications will come from authorized Illumina email addresses ([e-mail]). If you are unsure whether a communication is legitimate, please contact us at [e-mail] before sharing any personal information. Thank you for helping us protect the integrity of the hiring process and your experience.