Staff Software Engineer, Backend

SAGA Diagnostics is looking for a Staff Software Engineer, Backend to join its Software Engineering team and take ownership over the design of the laboratory software backend system. This team is responsible for delivering the product functionality needed to support the laboratory and to integrate with enterprise systems to support commercial and partnering operations. This role will be responsible for defining how SAGA’s laboratory, clinical, and customer data is architected to effectively support operations, reporting, and research as the organization scales up.

The ideal candidate would have experience translating complex laboratory workflows and commercial operations into a consistent and robust data model, and quickly implementing that data model into high quality Python code with the appropriate interfaces and constraints. This role requires someone with strong technical skills around database management and API design and who can interface effectively with scientific and technical leaders to understand how their processes should be implemented into clear and resilient backend software services. The candidate should be eager to join a fast-paced environment where they can quickly learn new science and technology and take ownership over the core business logic needed to support a quickly scaling organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the database models and APIs that represent the core data generated inside and outside of the lab.
• Design and implement interfaces to communicate with enterprise and user-facing services for customer management, laboratory operator workflows, reporting, and research.
• Coordinate the needs of diverse users and services into a consistent API layer by understanding their specific user needs and the best way to design and expose the data needed to support them.
• Write SDLC design documentation for how the organization stores and exposes data that demonstrates compliance with the applicable standards and regulations (FDA, IVDR, IEC 62304, etc.).
• Embrace agile methodologies for continuous improvement of the underlying backend and data model while maintaining enduring legacy records.
• Help guide the software engineering development practices used by the software engineering team by providing feedback on best practices for scalable APIs and backend development.
• Stay up to date on best practices for developing effective interfaces and data models for software in the life sciences.

• 10 years of experience developing backends in Python.
• 10 years of experience designing and implementing data models for SQL databases, including experience working with PostgreSQL.
• Experience integrating backend services with enterprise SaaS applications, such as CRM (Salesforce or equivalent). 
• Expertise working with the Python backend ecosystem – Flask, Django, SqlAlchemy, etc.
• Experience working in a scientific software environment, preferably biotech wet lab operations.
• Eagerness to work in an agile, scale-up environment, where you might need to contribute in additional areas that do not yet have dedicated resources and provide technical guidance on how to lay an effective foundation that others can build upon. 
• Comfortable working with role-based authentication requirements for APIs and services.

Desired

• Experience working in a start-up.
• Experience working in a regulated environment.
• Experience working with bioinformatics data and/or in a laboratory environment.

• The opportunity to develop cutting-edge automation solutions for genomic diagnostics.   
• Generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HRA, and paid parental leave.
• Membership to SAGA’s Equity scheme.   

Primary location: Hybrid (remote and onsite NC)

SAGA Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background.  The company’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to hr@sagadiagnostics.com.