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.

Required Technical Skills:

• 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