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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Software Test Engineer - **Company:** Illumina, Inc - **Location:** San Diego, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $107,700.0 - $161,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Testing (Software), Artificial Intelligence, JIRA, Automation of Tests, Command-Line Interface, Software Quality, Communications Protocols, Cursor (Graphical User Interface Elements), Firmware, Linux System Administration, Regression Testing, Software Tools, Requirements Management, Requirements Traceability, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Subsystems, System Testing, Systems Integration, Strategies of Testing, Software Organization, Jama (Software), GitHub Copilot, Backend, Information Technology - **Published:** August 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://illumina.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/illumina-careers/job/US---California---San-Diego/Senior-Software-Test-Engineer_43260-JOB-1 ## About the Role * Five or more years of professional experience in software quality engineering, instrument software testing, embedded-system testing, or a related discipline. * Experience with functional, integration, system, and regression testing. * Experience independently developing test strategies, test plans, and detailed test cases from technical requirements. * Experience owning feature- or subsystem-level verification, including requirements traceability and verification evidence. * Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, including the ability to isolate failures across technical 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. * Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across technical disciplines., * Experience using AI-assisted engineering tools, such as Cursor or GitHub Copilot, to support test design, troubleshooting, documentation, or workflow improvement; * Familiarity with Linux environments and command-line tools. * Familiarity with embedded systems, communication protocols, or hardware diagnostic equipment. * Familiarity working in a regulated environment (e.g. medical devices)., * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. ## Description The Senior Software Test Engineer will serve as the test owner for assigned software subsystems within Illumina's complex DNA sequencing instruments. This role is within our Instrument Software Organization on the Hardware Frameworks team, which develops shared software components used to integrate instrument applications with firmware and physical hardware. The candidate will shape test strategy throughout the development process, working with cross-functional partners to identify risks, improve testability, and define appropriate verification coverage. Responsibilities also include hands-on testing on sequencing instruments, ownership of subsystem verification, and investigation of complex failures spanning software, firmware, and hardware. This is primarily a software testing and systems-integration role. Test automation, coding skill, and test-tool development are valuable, but are not main responsibilities and are not required., * Serve as the test owner for assigned software features or subsystems. * Participate in requirements, design and planning activities to identify quality risks, improve testability, and influence the overall test strategy. * Define risk-based verification coverage across functional, integration, system, and regression testing. * Develop test plans, test cases, and test procedures from product, system, and software requirements. * Perform hands-on testing and feature integration on DNA sequencing instruments in a laboratory environment. * Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to test workflows and address quality risks and release-ready concerns. * Validate workflows spanning user interfaces, backend services, hardware abstraction software, firmware, simulators, and physical instrument hardware. * Perform root cause analysis in collaboration with software, firmware, hardware, systems integration, and quality teams. * Provide technical guidance to supporting engineers and contribute to improvements in team testing practices. * Work within established software-development, quality, and requirements-management processes for regulated products. ## Related Videos - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Excellent Software Testing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/87-excellent-software-testing) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [AIQSpecFlow: Improves and automates your agile process of specification and creation of testcases.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100084-aiqspecflow-improves-and-automates-your-agile-process-of-specification-and-creation-of-testcases) - [Collaboration Quantified: Lessons from Open Source Developer Networks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1422-collaboration-quantified-lessons-from-open-source-developer-networks) ## Related Articles - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [How to create a test plan for software testing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/56-how-to-create-a-test-plan-for-software-testing) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard)