Senior Software Engineer (OS)

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

As Senior Software Engineer here in the UK, you will be part of the team that powers our industry-leading DNA sequencing and genotyping instruments. Working within Agile scrum teams, you’ll design, implement, and test the operating system (OS) and control software that drives our cutting-edge biotech devices. This role is pivotal in ensuring the reliability and performance of our instruments across development, manufacturing, and field environments. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and contribute to the full software lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment.

Employee benefits are industry-leading and include, flexible time off, private medical insurance, compassion and care time off, leisure travel insurance, pension, employee stock purchasing program, volunteer time off, and much more!

Why You

You are a passionate technologist with a strong foundation in both Linux and Windows OS image design and maintenance. You bring hands-on experience with object-oriented programming—ideally in C++ or C#—and are comfortable using kickstart files and Ansible playbooks to automate system setup and configuration. Your background includes scripting in Python and Bash, and you thrive in fast-paced, agile environments. You’re a self-starter with excellent communication skills and a knack for presenting complex technical concepts clearly.

You’ll also be proficient in CI/CD practices, source control tools like Git or SVN, and writing robust unit tests. Experience in biotech or bioinformatics is a plus, as is familiarity with Xilinx FPGA and professional Linux certification. Your collaborative nature and ability to work across teams and organisations will be key to your success.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Design, implement, and test OS and control software for instruments
• Create, verify, and release OS images for use in development, manufacturing, and field deployment
• Troubleshoot OS and hardware issues across environments
• Use kickstart files and Ansible playbooks to automate system installation and configuration
• Develop and maintain scripts in Python, Bash, and C#
• Participate fully in Agile processes including sprint planning, daily scrums, demos, and code reviews
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and delivery
• Write high-quality unit tests using mock objects
• Ensure code quality through peer reviews and continuous integration
• Support both Windows and Linux environments
• Engage in inter-company and cross-organisational collaboration to drive innovation

What Can You Expect

Our team members are bright, energetic, and dedicated – they are the driving force behind our innovation and impact. To attract the best and brightest, we offer a competitive employee benefits program. We view it as a smart investment in our people, one that recognises the tremendous value they bring to our business every day. At Illumina, we push boundaries. We think beyond the conventional. We dream big. With the energy of so many bright and accomplished people, the opportunities are endless.

INDEUR

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.