Senior Software Test Engineer

Element Biosciences•San Diego, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Element Biosciences is seeking an experienced Senior Software Test Engineer to help ensure the quality, reliability, and usability of software across its sequencing ecosystem. In this hands-on role, the engineer independently owns verification of complex features and workflows spanning instrument software, firmware, hardware, cloud services, and data-analysis interfaces. The role partners with cross-functional teams to translate requirements, user needs, and product risks into clear test strategies and objective evidence. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Software Test Engineering and is based in San Diego, with daily on-site work. No travel is anticipated.

Requirements

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.
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.
Experience working within a regulated software development lifecycle and quality system.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage priorities and work effectively across disciplines.
Ability to perform computer-based work and remain stationary 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience with life-science, medical-device, or laboratory-instrumentation products.
Scripting or test-automation experience, for example Python or TypeScript.
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.

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 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 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.