Lead Bioinformatics Engineer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary bonus

Health insurance

Professional growth

Flexible remote schedule

Conference opportunities

Remote work culture

Cutting-edge research tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Bioinformatics Engineer to spearhead next-gen bioinformatics platforms. This fully remote role blends software engineering with deep biology, guiding a team of engineers and bioinformaticians to deliver robust, scalable pipelines.

You will architect data management strategies, integrate new algorithms, and collaborate with scientists to translate needs into technical specifications, ensuring high performance and data integrity across cloud environments.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in CS/Bioinformatics/Software Eng.
• 8+ years in software dev; 4+ years in bioinformatics.
• Proven leadership of engineering teams and projects.
• Proficient in Python/Java/C++ and software eng. practices.
• Deep knowledge of bioinformatics workflows and data formats (FASTA/FASTQ/SAM-BAM/VCF).
• Experience with cloud environments and containerization (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Familiar with SQL and NoSQL databases and data warehousing concepts.
• Strong systems design, architecture patterns, and remote collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of scalable bioinformatics software and pipelines.
• Architect data management for large biological datasets with integrity.
• Oversee integration of new algorithms and tools into workflows.
• Collaborate with researchers to translate needs into requirements.
• Mentor a remote team of engineers and bioinformaticians.
• Ensure code quality with testing, reviews, and performance tuning.
• Promote CI/CD best practices and software development standards.
• Contribute to strategy and roadmap for bioinformatics infrastructure.
• Present designs and updates to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Bioinformatics

Programming (Python/Java/C++)

Cloud & Containers

CI/CD

Remote team leadership

Biological data formats (FASTA/FASTQ/S

SQL/NoSQL databases

Education

Master's degree or PhD in CS/Bioinformatics/Software Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Bioinformatics Engineer to spearhead the development and maintenance of our next-generation bioinformatics platforms. This is a pivotal, fully remote role, allowing you to contribute to significant advancements in scientific research and development from anywhere. You will be responsible for designing, building, and optimizing scalable computational infrastructure and pipelines that support large-scale biological data analysis. This position demands a blend of strong software engineering principles and deep biological understanding. As a leader in our remote-first organization, you will guide a talented team of engineers and bioinformaticians, fostering innovation and ensuring the delivery of robust, high-performance solutions. Your expertise will directly impact our ability to accelerate scientific discovery and translate complex data into actionable insights, driving critical research initiatives forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable and efficient bioinformatics software and pipelines.
• Architect and implement robust data management strategies for large biological datasets, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Oversee the integration of new algorithms, tools, and technologies into existing workflows.
• Collaborate with research scientists to understand their computational needs and translate them into technical requirements.
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformatics engineers and specialists, fostering a collaborative and productive remote work environment.
• Ensure code quality, performance, and scalability through rigorous testing, code reviews, and performance tuning.
• Champion best practices in software development, version control, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).
• Contribute to strategic planning for the bioinformatics infrastructure and technology roadmap.
• Present technical designs and project updates to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in software development, with at least 4 years focused on bioinformatics or computational biology.
• Proven experience in leading engineering teams and managing software development projects.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, and experience with software engineering best practices.
• In-depth knowledge of bioinformatics workflows, data formats (e.g., FASTA, FASTQ, SAM/BAM, VCF), and common analysis tools.
• Experience with cloud computing environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and data warehousing concepts.
• Excellent understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software architecture patterns.
• Strong communication skills and experience working effectively in a distributed, remote team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical challenges and deliver high-quality software solutions.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Ample opportunities for professional growth, training, and attending conferences.
• Flexible remote work schedule and supportive work-life balance policies.
• Access to cutting-edge research technologies and resources.
• A dynamic and innovative research atmosphere within a fully remote setting.