What is a QA Engineer at 10x Genomics?

At 10x Genomics, a QA Engineer plays a pivotal role at the intersection of advanced biology, sophisticated hardware, and high-performance software. You are not simply testing a web application; you are ensuring the integrity of systems that enable researchers to understand biology at an unprecedented resolution. Whether it is validating the software that controls our Chromium instruments or ensuring the accuracy of computational pipelines for Visium spatial genomics, your work directly impacts the pace of scientific discovery.

This role is critical because the data generated by our platforms is used in high-stakes research, including oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. A bug in our software could lead to incorrect biological interpretations, making your role as a guardian of quality both challenging and deeply meaningful. You will work in a multi-disciplinary environment where you must bridge the gap between software engineering and the complex requirements of life sciences.

The complexity of our products requires a QA Engineer who is comfortable with ambiguity and capable of testing across the full stack. You will be tasked with building robust automation frameworks, performing deep exploratory testing on hardware-software integrations, and collaborating with computational biologists to validate complex algorithms. It is a role that demands high technical rigor and a passion for building tools that solve some of the world's most pressing health challenges.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of coding challenges, QA methodology questions, and behavioral inquiries. The coding questions are often representative of real-world data processing challenges.

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Technical and Coding Questions

These questions test your fundamental programming skills and your ability to write efficient, bug-free code.

• "Write a program to find the first non-repeating character in a string and discuss its time complexity."
• "How would you implement a thread-safe queue for a multi-threaded testing environment?"
• "Given a list of version numbers (e.g., '1.2.1', '1.10.2'), write a function to sort them in ascending order."
• "Explain the difference between a shallow copy and a deep copy in Python and when you would use each in a test script."

QA Methodology and Strategy

These questions assess how you think about quality and how you apply testing principles to complex systems.

• "If a developer says a bug is 'unreproducible,' what steps do you take to investigate it?"
• "How do you decide when a product is 'good enough' to ship?"
• "Describe a time you found a critical bug late in the release cycle. How did you handle it?"
• "How would you automate the testing of a software component that has no user interface?"

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Success at 10x Genomics requires a blend of traditional software testing expertise and a strong interest in the underlying science of genomics. You should approach your preparation with a focus on both your technical "toolbox" and your ability to communicate complex ideas to a diverse audience.

Technical Proficiency – Interviewers will evaluate your ability to write clean, efficient code and your understanding of automation principles. At 10x Genomics, we value engineers who can not only find bugs but also contribute to the codebase and build scalable test infrastructure. You should be prepared to demonstrate mastery in languages like Python or Go.

Analytical Problem-Solving – You will be presented with scenarios involving complex systems where the root cause of a failure is not immediately obvious. Interviewers look for a structured approach: how you isolate variables, how you define "quality" for a non-deterministic biological pipeline, and how you prioritize testing in a fast-paced environment.

Scientific Curiosity & Domain Knowledge – While you do not need a PhD in biology, you must show a willingness to learn the domain. For certain teams, basic knowledge of Computational Biology or Bioinformatics is a significant advantage. Demonstrating that you understand the "why" behind the software you are testing is a key differentiator.

Communication and Collaboration – Given the cross-functional nature of our work, your ability to explain technical concepts to non-software stakeholders is vital. This is often evaluated through a formal presentation of your past work or research, where your ability to handle "ice-breaker" questions and deep-dive inquiries is tested.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at 10x Genomics is designed to be comprehensive and multi-dimensional, reflecting the complexity of our products. It typically begins with a recruiter screen to align on basic requirements and interest, followed by a technical screen with a hiring manager or a senior peer. This initial technical round often focuses on coding fundamentals and your philosophy on software quality.

For candidates moving to the final stages, you can expect a rigorous "onsite" (currently conducted virtually) that often spans a full day. A unique feature of the 10x Genomics process is the Technical Presentation. You will be asked to present a past project or research area to a panel of engineers and scientists. This allows us to see how you structure information and how you respond to technical scrutiny from different disciplines.

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The timeline above illustrates the typical journey from initial contact to a final decision. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, ensuring they have a polished presentation ready by the final stage while keeping their coding skills sharp for the early-to-mid-process technical screens. Note that some teams may require an additional screening round if the role is highly specialized or sits between multiple departments.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Coding and Algorithmic Efficiency

Coding is a cornerstone of the QA Engineer role here, as we move toward a "Quality Engineering" model where test and development roles often overlap. You will be expected to solve algorithmic problems with a focus on optimization and edge-case handling.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Structures – Proficiency in using maps, sets, and arrays to solve problems efficiently.
• Algorithm Optimization – Moving beyond a "working" solution to one that is time and space-optimized.
• Scripting for Automation – Writing clean, maintainable scripts that could serve as the basis for a test suite.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Implement a function to calculate a factorial, then optimize it for repeated calls using memoization."
• "Given a large set of genomic sequence strings, find the most frequent pattern of length N."
• "Write a script to parse a complex log file and identify intermittent hardware-software synchronization errors."

System Design and QA Strategy

We look for engineers who think about the "big picture." You will be asked how to design a testing framework from scratch for a new instrument or how to validate a data pipeline that processes terabytes of information.

Be ready to go over:

• Framework Architecture – How to build modular, reusable automation components.
• Integration Testing – Strategies for testing software that interacts directly with laboratory hardware.
• Test Data Management – Handling large-scale biological datasets for regression testing.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you design a test suite for a software update that controls a high-precision fluidics system?"
• "Describe your approach to testing a non-deterministic algorithm used in spatial gene expression."
• "If you have 30 minutes to run a smoke test on a massive data pipeline, which tests do you prioritize and why?"

Presentation and Domain Knowledge

The presentation is your chance to show your depth. Whether you are discussing a complex automation framework you built or a specific piece of bioinformatics research, we are looking for clarity, impact, and technical depth.

Be ready to go over:

• Project Impact – Clearly articulating the problem you solved and the value it brought.
• Cross-functional Communication – Tailoring your message for both software engineers and biologists.
• Technical Defense – Answering deep-dive questions about your implementation choices.

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Key Responsibilities

As a QA Engineer at 10x Genomics, your daily life will involve more than just identifying defects. You will be deeply embedded in the software development lifecycle, working alongside developers to define "testability" during the design phase. You will be responsible for developing, executing, and maintaining automated test suites that cover everything from low-level drivers to high-level cloud analysis platforms.

Collaboration is a constant. You will frequently interact with Computational Biologists to understand the expected output of genomic algorithms and with Product Managers to ensure that the user experience meets the high standards required by the scientific community. You will also be expected to contribute to the "DevOps" culture by integrating your tests into continuous integration (CI) pipelines, ensuring that every code change is validated before it reaches a customer.

Typical projects might include building a simulated hardware environment to test software without needing a physical instrument, or developing a performance benchmarking suite to ensure that our data processing remains fast as our datasets grow. You are the final line of defense, ensuring that when a scientist uses a 10x Genomics product, they can trust the results implicitly.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful candidate for the QA Engineer position typically brings a mix of strong software engineering fundamentals and a specialized interest in quality systems.

• Technical Skills – Strong proficiency in Python is usually required, as it is the primary language for our automation and data science tools. Familiarity with C++ or Go is a significant plus for roles closer to the hardware or cloud infrastructure.
• Automation Expertise – Experience with modern testing frameworks (e.g., Pytest, Selenium, or custom internal frameworks) and CI/CD tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions.
• Experience Level – We hire across levels, but generally look for candidates who have experience in complex system testing. For junior roles, a strong foundation in computer science is key; for senior roles, a track record of architectural leadership in QA is expected.
• Soft Skills – Exceptional communication skills are non-negotiable due to the presentation requirement and the need to collaborate across scientific and engineering disciplines.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Background in Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Experience testing hardware-software integrations or medical devices.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS or GCP for large-scale data processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the coding portion of the interview? A: It is generally rated as difficult. Even for QA Engineer roles, the coding standards are high and can sometimes include LeetCode-hard level questions, especially for teams working on core computational pipelines.

Q: What should I focus on for my 30-minute presentation? A: Focus on a project where you had significant ownership and technical impact. Be prepared to explain the "why" behind your technical choices and how you handled challenges. It is an "ice-breaker," but also a deep dive into your engineering maturity.

Q: Is biological knowledge strictly required? A: Not always, but it is highly valued. Being able to speak the language of our "customers" (scientists) helps you design better tests. If you don't have a biology background, show that you have researched our technology and are eager to learn.

Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? A: From the initial recruiter screen to a final offer, the process typically takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the availability of the panel for the onsite presentation.

Other General Tips

• Master the "Why": In every technical answer, explain why you chose a specific tool or algorithm. 10x Genomics values engineers who think critically rather than just following standard procedures.
• Be Prepared for Opinionated Interviewers: You may encounter interviewers who are very attached to specific solutions. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your "Culture Fit" by engaging in a healthy, data-backed technical debate without becoming defensive.
• Showcase Your Presentation Skills: Treat the presentation as a high-stakes meeting. Use clear visuals, keep a steady pace, and leave room for questions. This is often where the "hiring" decision starts to solidify.
• Research the Products: Familiarize yourself with the difference between Single Cell Gene Expression and Spatial Transcriptomics. Knowing our product lines shows a level of commitment that stands out.

Summary & Next Steps

The QA Engineer role at 10x Genomics is a unique opportunity to apply high-level engineering skills to the frontiers of biological science. It is a position that demands technical excellence, a disciplined approach to quality, and the ability to communicate across diverse fields. By preparing for a rigorous coding evaluation and a deep-dive presentation of your expertise, you can position yourself as a candidate who is ready to tackle the complexities of our mission.

Focused preparation is your greatest asset. Review your core algorithms, refine your presentation, and spend time understanding the impact of genomics on the future of medicine. We are looking for engineers who are as passionate about quality as they are about the science our tools enable.

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The salary data provided represents the competitive compensation packages offered at 10x Genomics. When reviewing these figures, consider your experience level and the specific technical requirements of the team you are joining. Our total rewards typically include a base salary, performance bonuses, and equity, reflecting our commitment to shared success as we continue to lead the life sciences industry. You can explore more detailed insights and preparation resources for this and other roles on Dataford.