Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, biotechnology, and genomics sectors that anchor the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles metro regions. Employers like Genentech, Illumina, and AstraZeneca maintain deep California roots and consistently hire at the senior level for computational genomics, single-cell analysis, and multi-omics pipeline development. Demand runs from mid-career scientists stepping into lead roles through distinguished principal-level researchers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles5+
Top employerFulgent Therapeutics
Top cityFremont, CA
Cities hiring4
Work type60% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 5+ Senior Bioinformatics Scientist jobs

Ultima Genomics
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
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Ultima Genomics
Added 2mo ago
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
Ultima Genomics
Fremont, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
Data Analytics
$115k - $145k/yr
Remote (US)
Doctorate
201-500

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Illumina
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
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Illumina
Added 4mo ago
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
Illumina
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
Data Analytics
$194k/yr
On-Site
Master's

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Fulgent Therapeutics
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist I
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Fulgent Therapeutics
Added 5mo ago
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist I
Fulgent Therapeutics
El Monte, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$140k - $165k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Personalis
Sr. Bioinformatics Scientist
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Personalis
Added 1mo ago
Sr. Bioinformatics Scientist
Personalis
Fremont, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
$155k - $190k/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate
201-500

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Rezo Therapeutics Inc.
Staff/Senior Staff, Bioinformatics Data Scientist
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Rezo Therapeutics Inc.
Added 3w ago
Staff/Senior Staff, Bioinformatics Data Scientist
Rezo Therapeutics Inc.
San Francisco, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Healthcare Administration
Data Science
$180k - $260k/yr
On-Site
Associate's

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Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Fremont
2 jobs
El Monte
1 jobs
San Diego
1 jobs
San Francisco
1 jobs

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Fulgent Therapeutics
    Fulgent Therapeutics1
  • Illumina
    Illumina1
  • Personalis
    Personalis1
  • Rezo Therapeutics
    Rezo Therapeutics1
  • Ultima Genomics
    Ultima Genomics1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
  • Healthcare & Medical Services2
  • Science & Research2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in senior bioinformatics scientist jobs across California.

  • Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, or closely related quantitative field required
  • Proficiency in Python, R, and Linux command-line for genomic data processing pipelines
  • Demonstrated experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data including RNA-seq and WGS
  • Prior leadership of bioinformatics projects or direct mentorship of junior scientists expected
  • Familiarity with cloud computing platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud for large-scale analysis
  • Experience collaborating cross-functionally with wet-lab teams in a California biotech or pharma setting

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a senior bioinformatics scientist in California?

The typical California path starts with a Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field such as statistics or computer science, followed by postdoctoral or industry research experience. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. Most senior positions in Bay Area and San Diego biotechs expect several years of hands-on pipeline development and a publication or project record. Candidates who build expertise in single-cell sequencing, structural biology computing, or regulatory-grade data workflows move into senior roles faster in California's market.

How much do senior bioinformatics scientists make in California?

Senior bioinformatics scientists in California earn a median of about $113,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,770 for the lowest 10% to over $189,710 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire senior bioinformatics scientists in California?

Employers hiring senior bioinformatics scientists in California right now include Fulgent Therapeutics, Illumina, and Personalis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of genomics companies, oncology-focused biotechs, and large pharma R&D centers means hiring is sustained year-round rather than tied to single funding cycles.

Which California cities have the most senior bioinformatics scientist jobs?

Fremont, El Monte, and San Diego account for the largest share of senior bioinformatics scientist openings in California. The Bay Area leads because it houses the global headquarters of major genomics and therapeutics companies, while San Diego's biotech cluster around Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley drives consistent demand, and Los Angeles openings reflect growth in academic medical centers and newer precision medicine startups.

Are there remote senior bioinformatics scientist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields, because bioinformatics work is inherently computational and does not require physical lab access. About 40% of senior bioinformatics scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how naturally the role fits distributed work. Pipeline development, data analysis, and cross-team collaboration tasks transfer well to remote settings, though roles with regulatory submission duties or direct wet-lab integration tend to require at least partial on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a senior bioinformatics scientist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship at a California research university such as UC San Francisco, UC San Diego, or UCLA, which directly feeds the Bay Area and San Diego biotech pipelines. Many California biotechs also hire associate bioinformatics scientists or research associates with strong master's-level skills in Python and NGS analysis as a bridge role. Building a public GitHub portfolio with real sequencing workflows, contributing to open-source genomics tools, and networking through the Bay Area Bioinformatics community substantially improves candidacy without years of industry experience.

Where can I find and apply to senior bioinformatics scientist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to senior bioinformatics scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, genomics, and academic medical centers. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.

See All 5 Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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