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Salary: USD 118,000 - 144,000 / annual
Element Biosciences is seeking an experienced Senior Software Test Engineer to ensure quality, reliability, and usability of software across its sequencing ecosystem. This is a hands-on role where you will independently own verification of complex features and workflows spanning instrument software, firmware, hardware, cloud services, and data-analysis interfaces. You will partner with cross-functional teams to translate requirements, user needs, and product risks into clear test strategies and objective evidence.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design, document, and execute verification activities for complex software features and end-to-end workflows used with Element sequencing instruments
- Translate user needs, product requirements, system architecture, and risk controls into traceable test strategies, plans, cases, protocols, and reports
- Perform hands-on functional, integration, regression, and exploratory testing across instrument software, firmware, hardware, cloud services, and data-analysis interfaces
- Configure and maintain representative test environments, including control of software, firmware, hardware, and test-data configurations
- Isolate and troubleshoot defects using logs, command-line tools, database queries, and reproducible test evidence; communicate severity, impact, and risk
- Collaborate with software, systems, hardware, assay, chemistry, product, UX, and quality partners to evaluate coverage, resolve integration issues, and improve end-user experience
- Create accurate, review-ready test documentation in accordance with Element's software development lifecycle and applicable design-control processes
- Identify high-value automation opportunities and contribute to maintainable automated tests and supporting tools
- Communicate test status, quality risks, and recommendations to project leads and stakeholders; share technical knowledge with less-experienced team members
This role reports to the Senior Manager, Software Test Engineering and is expected to be San Diego-based, daily on-site. No travel anticipated.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, bioengineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Typically 3–5 years of hands-on software or systems test experience
- Demonstrated ability to derive test coverage from requirements and user stories and produce clear, traceable test plans, cases, protocols, defect reports, and test reports
- Experience testing interfaces among software, embedded systems, firmware, hardware, cloud services, and data-analysis applications
- Proficiency with Linux and command-line tools, log analysis, and SQL or NoSQL databases
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills, with ability to manage priorities and work effectively across disciplines
- Ability to perform computer-based work and remain in stationary position for extended periods
- Ability to move between office and laboratory work areas and operate benchtop laboratory instrumentation
- Ability to follow laboratory safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment
PREFERRED:
- Experience with life-science, medical-device, or laboratory-instrumentation products
- Scripting or test-automation experience (Python or TypeScript)
- Experience working within regulated software development lifecycle and quality system
- Working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, IEC 62304, and ISO 13485
- Understanding of product risk management and root-cause analysis; familiarity with ISO 14971
- Knowledge of DNA sequencing workflows or genomics applications
