Senior Software Test Engineer

Element Biosciences is 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, 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 role reports to the Senior Manager, Software Test Engineering and is a full-time, daily on-site position in San Diego. No travel is anticipated. Job type: Full-time / Exempt.

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

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; 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; Experience working within a regulated software development lifecycle and quality system; Understanding of product risk management and root-cause analysis; 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 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

Nice to have

Experience with life-science, medical-device, or laboratory-instrumentation products; Working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, IEC 62304, and ISO 13485; Familiarity with ISO 14971; Knowledge of DNA sequencing workflows or genomics applications; Scripting or test-automation experience (for example, Python or TypeScript)

Benefits

Stock options; Discretionary annual bonus; No-cost health insurance plans; 401(k) with company match; Flexible paid time off