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. Senior Staff Software Program Manager, NPI (NGS) Illumina is seeking a Senior Staff Software Program Manager to lead the software program for a new sequencing instrument. This role focuses on driving software development activities across the New Product Introduction (NPI) development cycle - from concept and architecture through verification, validation, launch, and transition to on‑market support. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in software development lifecycles (SDLC) and product development processes (PDP), along with a background in instrumentation, embedded systems, and regulated product development. Familiarity with various sequencing technologies and medical device design controls is highly preferred.
Responsibilities
Leading Instrument Software Workstreams throughout the NPI lifecycle, developing executable project plans, defining scope & goals, establishing WBS, and driving task ownership across engineering teams. Develop and manage detailed software schedules, resource plans, dependencies, and critical path analyses to ensure program milestones are achieved. Drive system‑level integration planning for firmware, control software, data pipelines, cloud services, and user interfaces. Form and lead cross‑functional software extended teams, including by not limited to technical product management, system engineering, embedded systems, cloud, and test engineering. Identify program risks early and implement mitigation strategies; develop and track software KPIs and health indicators. Partner closely with Systems, Hardware, and Advanced Science teams to ensure alignment between workflows and instrument software design. Deliver regular updates to senior leadership on progress, risks, and cross‑functional alignment throughout the NPI phase. Work with software development, DevOps, software quality and support teams to deliver and ensure timely all software deliverables. Champion continuous improvement initiatives in software processes, tooling, and execution discipline across the NPI portfolio.
Requirements
Proven experience in product development lifecycle and NPI program management.
Experience
managing software development projects including SW releases, environment management, and embedded FW/SW development. Strong working knowledge of SCRUM, SAFe, Kanban, waterfall, or hybrid models. Advanced proficiency with Smartsheet, Office Timeline, Jira, and Confluence.
Experience
in regulated industry with understanding of design controls (21 CFR 820.30, ISO 13485:2016, ISO 14971:2019, IEC 62304:2006). Familiarity with NGS workflows, data analysis, and sequencing instrumentation.
Education
and
Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (Computer Science/Engineering, Software/Electrical Engineering), with at least 15 years of MNC working experience in a regulated industry on product development (preferably on Medical Devices). More than 10 years as a software project manager PMP certification will be a plus. 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. The potential of genomics to change the world is unparalleled. At Illumina, we are leading the way. Our technology empowers researchers and clinicians globally to improve cancer treatments, change the course of diseases, protect the environment, and fight food insecurity. We are made up of dedicated professionals, all-in on creating a better world – and we need every skill set on our path to making genomics useful for all. Learn more about life at Illumina. Illumina has been made aware of fraudulent schemes in which individuals falsely claim to represent Illumina, our Talent Acquisition team, or our Human Resources organization. Please note: • All legitimate Illumina career opportunities are posted on the Illumina Careers website. • Illumina will never ask candidates to pay fees, transfer money, purchase equipment, or provide banking information during the recruitment process. • Illumina does not extend employment offers without a formal interview process. • Official recruiting communications will come from authorized Illumina email addresses (xxxxxx@illumina.com). If you are unsure whether a communication is legitimate, please contact us at [Talent Acquisition Contact Email] before sharing any personal information. Thank you for helping us protect the integrity of the hiring process and your experience.