The Senior Software Test Engineer will serve as the test owner for assigned software subsystems within Illumina's complex DNA sequencing instruments. This role is within our Instrument Software Organization on the Hardware Frameworks team, which develops shared software components used to integrate instrument applications with firmware and physical hardware.

The candidate will shape test strategy throughout the development process, working with cross-functional partners to identify risks, improve testability, and define appropriate verification coverage. Responsibilities also include hands-on testing on sequencing instruments, ownership of subsystem verification, and investigation of complex failures spanning software, firmware, and hardware.

This is primarily a software testing and systems-integration role. Test automation, coding skill, and test-tool development are valuable, but are not main responsibilities and are not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the test owner for assigned software features or subsystems.
• Participate in requirements, design and planning activities to identify quality risks, improve testability, and influence the overall test strategy.
• Define risk-based verification coverage across functional, integration, system, and regression testing.
• Develop test plans, test cases, and test procedures from product, system, and software requirements.
• Perform hands-on testing and feature integration on DNA sequencing instruments in a laboratory environment.
• Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to test workflows and address quality risks and release-ready concerns.
• Validate workflows spanning user interfaces, backend services, hardware abstraction software, firmware, simulators, and physical instrument hardware.
• Perform root cause analysis in collaboration with software, firmware, hardware, systems integration, and quality teams.
• Provide technical guidance to supporting engineers and contribute to improvements in team testing practices.
• Work within established software-development, quality, and requirements-management processes for regulated products.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional experience in software quality engineering, instrument software testing, embedded-system testing, or a related discipline.
• Experience with functional, integration, system, and regression testing.
• Experience independently developing test strategies, test plans, and detailed test cases from technical requirements.
• Experience owning feature- or subsystem-level verification, including requirements traceability and verification evidence.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, including the ability to isolate failures across technical boundaries.
• Familiarity with defect tracking and requirements management platforms such as Jira and Jama.
• Ability to work regularly with physical instruments in a laboratory environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across technical disciplines.

Nice to Have

• Experience using AI-assisted engineering tools, such as Cursor or GitHub Copilot, to support test design, troubleshooting, documentation, or workflow improvement;
• Familiarity with Linux environments and command-line tools.
• Familiarity with embedded systems, communication protocols, or hardware diagnostic equipment.
• Familiarity working in a regulated environment (e.g. medical devices).

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid position requiring on-site work at least three days per week. Additional on-site presence may be required based on laboratory activities and business needs.

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The estimated base salary range for the Senior Software Test Engineer role based in the United States of America is: $107,700 - $161,500. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long-term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, 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.