Automation QA Engineer Genomics / Bioinformatics

Location

San Diego, CA

Experience: 3+ Years

Employment Type: Contract

Position Overview:

We are looking for a skilled Automation QA Engineer – Genomics / Bioinformatics to ensure the quality, reliability, and accuracy of software applications supporting genomics, sequencing, and life sciences workflows.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience in Python-based test automation, software quality engineering, and genomics or laboratory environments. This role involves validating application functionality, genomic data outputs, system integrations, and end-to-end workflows in collaboration with software engineering, QA, scientific, and laboratory teams.

This position focuses on software testing and quality assurance, rather than developing bioinformatics pipelines. The successful candidate will help ensure that applications and data outputs meet scientific requirements and reflect real-world laboratory processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and execute automated test suites using Python and applicable testing frameworks.
• Create and execute test plans, test cases, regression suites, and data-validation scenarios.
• Perform functional, integration, regression, and end-to-end testing of genomics and life sciences applications.
• Validate sequencing workflows, genomic data outputs, variant-calling results, and sample-to-result traceability.
• Collaborate with wet lab and dry lab teams to understand laboratory processes, sample lifecycles, instrument outputs, and data transfers.
• Translate scientific and laboratory requirements into practical test scenarios and acceptance criteria.
• Test integrations with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), including sample tracking, chain of custody, and result reporting.
• Identify, document, track, and verify software defects, partnering with engineering teams on root-cause analysis and resolution.
• Verify data integrity, audit trails, traceability, and the accuracy of application outputs.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and improve test coverage, reliability, and execution efficiency.
• Maintain test data, enhance automation frameworks, and contribute to continuous QA process improvements.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, sprint planning, defect triage, and release testing.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in QA, software testing, quality engineering, or test automation.
• Strong hands-on Python programming skills for automated test development.
• Experience with testing frameworks such as pytest, unittest, or Robot Framework.
• Working knowledge of genomics and bioinformatics concepts, including sequencing, genomic data workflows, sample-to-data lifecycle, common genomic file formats, and variant-calling outputs.
• Experience testing software within a biotechnology, genomics, bioinformatics, life sciences, or laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with wet lab and/or dry lab workflows and the ability to validate software behavior against laboratory requirements.
• Experience testing or integrating with LIMS platforms.
• Strong understanding of functional, integration, regression, and data-validation testing methodologies.
• Ability to analyze application outputs, troubleshoot issues, and manage defects through resolution.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills when working with engineers, QA professionals, scientists, and laboratory personnel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as an Automation QA Engineer or Quality Engineer in a genomics or bioinformatics organization.
• Familiarity with cloud-based genomics platforms, life sciences data platforms, or laboratory information systems.
• Experience with API testing and tools such as Postman, Selenium, or comparable automation technologies.
• Experience incorporating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of life sciences and healthcare compliance frameworks, including HIPAA, CLIA, CAP, or 21 CFR Part 11.
• Understanding of regulated software environments, data integrity, audit trails, and end-to-end traceability.
• Experience validating laboratory instrument data or downstream genomic analysis results.

Technical Skills

Required

• Python-based test automation
• pytest, unittest, or Robot Framework
• Functional, integration, regression, and end-to-end testing
• Data validation and test case development
• Genomics / Bioinformatics fundamentals
• LIMS integration and laboratory workflows
• Defect tracking and root-cause analysis
• CI/CD testing practices

Preferred

• API testing and automation
• Postman and Selenium
• Cloud-based genomics platforms and data lakes
• Healthcare and life sciences compliance
• Laboratory information systems and instrument-generated data