Senior Software Test Engineer

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Software Test Engineer to help ensure the quality, reliability, and usability of software across Element’s sequencing ecosystem. In this hands-on role, 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. The ideal candidate is passionate about building robust tools for scientists and brings a strong background in software and systems testing, integration troubleshooting, and regulated product development. This role will report to the Senior Manager, Software Test Engineering and is expected to be a San Diego based, daily on-site role.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Independently 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; clearly 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 the 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 as products and interfaces mature

Communicate test status, quality risks, and recommendations to project leads and stakeholders, and share technical knowledge with less-experienced team members

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, bioengineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Typically 3–5 years of hands-on software or systems test experience; experience with life-science, medical-device, or laboratory-instrumentation products is strongly preferred

Demonstrated ability to derive test coverage from requirements and user stories and to 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; scripting or test-automation experience (for example, Python or TypeScript) is preferred

Experience working within a regulated software development lifecycle and quality system; working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, IEC 62304, and ISO 13485 is preferred

Understanding of product risk management and root-cause analysis; familiarity with ISO 14971 is preferred.

Knowledge of DNA sequencing workflows or genomics applications is preferred

Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage priorities and work effectively across disciplines

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform computer-based work and remain in a stationary position for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation

Ability to move between office and laboratory work areas and operate benchtop laboratory instrumentation, with or without reasonable accommodation

Ability to follow laboratory safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment

Location:

San Diego (on-site)

Travel:

No anticipated travel

Job Type:

Full-time / Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range:

$118,000 - $144,000

In addition to the base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, a discretionary annual bonus, no-cost health insurance plans, a 401(k) with company match, and flexible paid time off.

Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience.

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.