At a Glance
- Tasks: Test and verify software for groundbreaking protein analysis technology.
- Company: Portal Biotech, a leader in innovative protein sequencing solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team transforming science into impactful products.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in software testing with expertise in APIs and user interfaces.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
About Portal Biotech
Portal Biotech has built the world's only platform capable of sequencing full-length proteins at the single-molecule level. Using our nanopore technology, we read intact proteins of any size, capturing both sequence and post-translational modifications in a way no other system can. This opens up entirely new ways to understand protein biology, with applications across drug discovery, diagnostics, and biosecurity. Our technology works, and customers are engaging with it. We're now focused on scaling, turning breakthrough science into products that deliver real biological insight as we move beyond Series A towards global product launch.
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Software Test Engineer to join our Analysis Platform team. You'll verify the backend services and user interface that platform scientists use to launch analyses, follow runs and interact with reports from our analysis pipeline. You will also support testing across our entire software product.
What you'll work on:
- Test the services and user interface that launch and manage data analysis workflows, serving both internal teams and external users.
- Provide software testing expertise across the product, working with the instrument team to test the instrument software and the bioinformatics team to test the analysis workflows.
- Help ensure that testability is designed into our system components.
- Review product requirements, software design, and test cases.
Full-time, permanent role. London hybrid at Scale Space, White City, 3-4 days/week.
Requirements:
- 6+ years' experience, with exposure to the full product development lifecycle.
- Significant experience of manual and automated testing of APIs and user interfaces in a commercial software environment.
- Experience with modern testing frameworks, including integration and end-to-end testing (e.g. pytest, Cucumber, Playwright).
- Comfortable owning outcomes, making decisions, and pushing work over the finish line in a fast-moving environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a cross-functional team, with domain experts and product leads.
Desirable:
- Experience developing an automated test suite from scratch.
- Broad experience of the full software testing domain, with exposure to usability testing, security testing and performance testing.
- Familiarity with Azure infrastructure components and terminology.
- Experience using AI to augment productivity while maintaining rigour as part of an SDLC process.
- Experience of software verification within a Quality Management System.
- Scientific, bioinformatics or lab-software experience.
Portal is an equal opportunities employer. We are enriched by our diversity and are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and life experiences.
Senior Software Test Engineer in London employer: Portal Biotech
Portal Biotech is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the cutting-edge field of protein sequencing technology. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and encourage diverse perspectives, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to our mission. Located in the vibrant Scale Space at White City, London, we offer a unique environment where groundbreaking science meets practical application, making it an exciting place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Test Engineer in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Portal Biotech or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Portal Biotech.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Portal Biotech.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Portal Biotech that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Test Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Portal Biotech.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Portal Biotech and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portal Biotech
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Portal Biotech uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
