Senior Lab Specialist - Solutions Center

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.

The Senior Lab Specialist at the Illumina Solutions Center (ISC) in San Diego plays a key role in delivering technical excellence and exceptional customer support. In this dynamic, team-driven, on-site position, you will support our Services, Arrays, and Genomics Access (SAGA) and Commercial teams by providing hands-on technical applications training, pre-sales support, and workflow troubleshooting across Illumina’s sequencing, genotyping, and multiomics solutions. This customer-facing role requires a strong foundation in genomics, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate both technical and business conversations. Your contributions will directly impact customer enablement, satisfaction, and commercial success.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver technical training and product demonstrations on Illumina’s products and workflow solutions to both external customers and internal teams, spanning the full breadth of our product portfolio.
• Execute a wide range of laboratory activities supporting Illumina’s sequencing and microarray workflows, encompassing full end-to-end workflows from sample to result. This includes experimental design, sample/library preparation, sequencing or microarray scanning, and data analysis.
• Coordinate training logistics and ensure lab readiness, including instrument setup and materials preparation, to support successful customer engagements and hands-on sessions at the ISC.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds to communicate Illumina’s sample-to-answer workflows, assist in experimental planning, and provide technical troubleshooting when needed.
• Document work accurately and thoroughly, including drafting experimental reports, workflow summaries, and standard operating procedures or work instructions as required.
• Operate and maintain lab instrumentation and supporting technologies, including equipment for cell culture, tissue sectioning/imaging, and automated liquid handling systems relevant to Illumina’s end-to-end solutions.

Requirements:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to tailor messaging to effectively engage a wide range of audiences—including technical and non-technical personnel, cross-functional team members, and key business stakeholders or decision-makers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including proficiency in delivering presentations and facilitating technical applications trainings.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Comfortable working on assignments with varying scope, limited information, and requiring creative problem-solving.
• Collaborative team player with a strong customer service mindset and a proven track record of building effective cross-functional relationships.
• Hands-on experience with Illumina technologies, including library preparation, sequencing, and/or microarray workflows. Additional experience in upstream sample preparation methods such as cell culturing, imaging, and/or tissue sectioning is a plus.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently, with oversight typically provided at critical points.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills to identify and implement appropriate solutions.

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Lab Specialist - Solutions Center role based in the United States of America is: $73,400 - $110,200. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

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.