Senior Software Engineer (Backend)

About the role

Illumina is looking for a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) to design, build and maintain the backend subsystems that power its DNA sequencing instruments. The role works in project teams across the US and Singapore and involves collaborating with scientists, domain experts and cross-functional partners to turn complex genomics problems into robust software solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Design, build and maintain backend subsystems powering DNA sequencing instruments
• Own features and components from design through production, delivering high-quality solutions
• Contribute to engineering standards, tooling, CI/CD pipelines and development best practices
• Design for reliability, observability and performance, making deliberate trade-offs across architectural attributes
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge through technical proposals, reviews and sharing sessions
• Work with scientists and domain experts to translate genomics problems into software

Required profile

• Strong experience designing and building APIs and services, proficient in C# or Python or eager to learn them
• Good working knowledge of containerization and orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes and Docker
• Uses AI-assisted development tools to speed up engineering
• Prefers simple, well-reasoned solutions and communicates technical information clearly
• Passionate about raising the team's engineering capabilities through learning, sharing and mentoring
• Curious, analytical and able to dive into unfamiliar domains such as genomics, bioinformatics and instrument control
• Collaborates across functions and time zones
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience and a Bachelor's degree

Required skills

• C# or Python
• Kubernetes and Docker
• Preferred: experience with reliability and performance in embedded, edge or on-premise deployments, and in biotech, bioinformatics or scientific instrumentation software