V&V Engineer - Flow cytometry

Job description

Work Schedule Standard (Mon-Fri) Environmental Conditions Office Job Description As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer. DESCRIPTION: We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Software Test Engineer III to independently lead testing and biological validation activities for software applications integrated with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s flow cytometry, including spectral flow cytometry, and microscopy platforms. This role bridges biology, instrumentation, and software testing, requiring strong expertise in cell biology, immunology, cell-based assays, and flow cytometry together with practical knowledge of software testing methodologies. The successful candidate will translate biologically relevant customer workflows into comprehensive software test strategies and ensure new software features deliver scientifically accurate, reliable, usable, and high-quality results. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in cell culture, flow cytometry, microscopy-based immunoassays, spectral panel design, fluorescence compensation, and spectral unmixing, along with demonstrated experience in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC). The role requires a high degree of technical independence, cross-functional collaboration, troubleshooting ability, and enthusiasm for applying biological expertise in a software-driven product development environment. Key ResponsibilitiesIndependently develop, plan, execute, and document moderate to complex software test and biological validation strategies for flow cytometry and microscopy software. Translate product requirements, software specifications, and customer workflows into comprehensive test scenarios, test cases, and biological validation experiments. Design and execute cell-based workflows involving cell culture, Flow Cytometry, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunocytochemistry (ICC), and microscopy-based assays to evaluate software functionality and scientific accuracy. Apply expertise in Immunology and Cell Biology to develop biologically relevant test scenarios representative of real-world customer applications. Design and evaluate multi-color and spectral flow cytometry panels, including fluorophore selection and optimization. Apply strong knowledge of fluorescence compensation, spectral unmixing, gating, data analysis, and interpretation when testing flow cytometry software functionality. Participate across the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), including requirement analysis, test planning, test case development, execution, defect management, regression testing, and test reporting. Review product and software requirements for testability, scientific accuracy, completeness, and potential customer-use risks. Develop and execute functional, integration, regression, workflow, usability, and system-level tests as applicable to instrument software applications. Collaborate closely with Product Owners, Software Developers, Systems Engineers, Application Scientists, and Domain Testers to define appropriate test coverage and acceptance criteria. Identify, document, reproduce, investigate, and track software defects using JIRA or equivalent defect and test management tools. Perform root-cause-oriented troubleshooting to distinguish between software, instrument, reagent, biological sample, assay, and workflow-related issues. Provide clear scientific evidence and test data to support defect investigation and technical decision-making. Independently manage assigned testing activities and deliver high-quality results within established project and product release timelines. Assess test results and communicate quality risks, gaps, technical concerns, and recommendations to project stakeholders. Conduct comparative and benchmarking studies using competitor flow cytometry or microscopy platforms, where required, to evaluate product performance and customer workflows. Maintain accurate, traceable, and auditable testing and validation documentation in accordance with applicable data integrity, quality, and compliance requirements. Prepare detailed test reports, validation summaries, defect analyses, and technical documentation supporting product release decisions. Contribute to continuous improvement of software testing and biological validation processes, including test standardization, reusable workflows, and improved test efficiency. Identify opportunities for test automation and AI-enabled productivity improvements, including appropriate use of Enterprise ChatGPT or related tools for test case development, documentation, report generation, and data analysis. Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior test engineers and scientists in biological experimental design, software testing practices, troubleshooting, and documentation. Collaborate effectively with global and cross-functional teams while demonstrating adaptability, technical ownership, and strong communication. Minimum Qualifications and ExperiencePhD degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline. Post PhD, 8+ years of relevant hands-on experience in cell-based assays, flow cytometry, microscopy, biological validation, software testing, or a combination of these areas. Strong hands-on experience with cell culture and cell-based immunoassays, including Flow Cytometry and microscopy-based techniques such as IHC and/or ICC. Demonstrated experience with conventional and/or spectral flow cytometry workflows. Strong understanding of fluorescence compensation, spectral unmixing, fluorophore selection, panel design, gating strategies, and flow cytometry data interpretation. Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze moderate to complex biological experiments. Practical knowledge of software testing principles, SDLC, STLC, test case design, defect management, and regression testing. Experience with JIRA or similar issue tracking/test management tools. Ability to interpret software requirements and convert them into effective test scenarios and scientifically relevant workflows. Strong troubleshooting skills across biological assays, instrumentation, and software applications. Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within global and multidisciplinary teams. Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, communication, and technical documentation skills. Ability to manage multiple testing activities while maintaining quality, traceability, and project timelines. Strong interest in working at the intersection of biology, software, instrumentation, and digital technologies. Demonstrated commitment to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s values of Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement. Preferred QualificationsExperience testing or validating software associated with life science instrumentation, flow cytometers, microscopes, imaging systems, or analytical platforms. Familiarity with competitor flow cytometry platforms such as BD, Cytek, Beckman Coulter, or equivalent systems. Experience working in Agile or hybrid software development environments. Familiarity with regulated or quality-controlled development environments and requirements such as ISO, FDA, GLP, or 21 CFR Part 11. Experience developing validation strategies or contributing to formal product release documentation. Experience mentoring junior engineers, scientists, or t