Software Test Engineer 2

We are seeking an experienced Software Test Engineer II to support the instrument manufacturing and NPI (new product introduction) development of software for Illumina’s sequencing instruments. This role combines hands-on system testing, technical problem-solving, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams to help ensure the quality and reliability of our next-generation sequencing platforms. The ideal candidate thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and brings curiosity, sound technical judgment, and a quality-first mindset to their work. 

This is primarily a manufacturing floor support engineer as well as a hands-on, system-level software testing role involving physical sequencing instruments, on-market & future NPI. The role emphasizes test design, exploratory testing, execution, troubleshooting, communicating and collaborating. Coding and test automation skills are valuable but are not the primary focus of the position. 

Responsibilities: 

• Manufacturing floor support and troubleshoot software, server, cybersecurity, and system-level issues in production and NPI prototype development, evaluating manufacturing Non Conformances 

• Create and implement ECO changes to product and manufacturing processes and system configurations 

• Lead projects to resolve trending issues in manufacturing and the field 

• Work with cross functional teams (Quality, Manufacturing, Development, Regulatory, Supply Chain) to achieve Instrument Manufacturing Operation Goals while maintaining Compliance and security requirements 

• Develop test strategies, plans, and test cases from product, system, and software requirements. 

• Execute functional, integration, system, and regression tests for software features, server applications, and integrations on DNA sequencing instruments. 

• Perform exploratory testing to identify defects, unexpected behaviors, usability concerns, and system-level risks. 

• Own software verification activities for assigned features or subsystems, including planning, execution, defect reporting, and results documentation. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure software solutions meet user and system needs. 

• Investigate defects and perform root-cause analysis in collaboration with software, firmware, hardware, manufacturing, and systems teams. 

• Work within established software development, quality, and requirements management processes for regulated products. 

• Participate in requirements, design, and planning activities to identify risks, improve testability, and strengthen verification strategy. 

• Use approved AI-assisted tools to improve test design, exploratory testing, failure analysis, documentation, and workflow efficiency while applying appropriate human review and complying with data privacy, security, and regulated-product quality requirements. 

The responsibilities listed above are essential but not exhaustive. Individual responsibilities may change based on business needs. 

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. 

• 3+ years of professional experience working in software test, software quality, software systems integration, or a related role. 

• Experience with functional, integration, system, and regression testing. 

• Experience independently owning feature-level or subsystem-level software verification activities. 

• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, including the ability to isolate failures across software, firmware, hardware, and system 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. 

• Familiarity with Linux and Windows OS environments and command-line tools. 

• Familiarity with data management and processing via server, single-board compute or compute engines 

• Familiarity with production and customer network/IT setup & different configurations that may impact installation or manufacturing processes 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a willingness to learn from and share knowledge with others. 

Nice to Have: 

• Familiarity with embedded systems, communication protocols, or integrating software with hardware modules. 

• Has experience developing/executing simple and complex test automation protocols 

• Cybersecurity regulation knowledge and best practices 

• Familiarity working in a regulated environment, such as medical devices. 

• Experience using AI-assisted engineering tools to support software testing, troubleshooting, test documentation, or analysis. 

• Demonstrates basic scripting or automation experience, such as Python or shell scripting. 

• Project management skills. Gantt chart timeline and critical path calculations, risk assessment experience, software agile experience as a scrum lead 

• Has led technical triaging of issues based on level of effort, frequency, and severity 

• Understands process for developing software requirements 

All listed requirements are considered essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform these functions. Responsibilities may change based on business needs.