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Company Summary

Company Reviews

At Illumina, our goal is to apply innovative technologies and revolutionary assays to the analysis of genetic variation and function, making studies possible that were not even imaginable just a few years ago. These studies will help make the realization of personalized medicine possible. With such rapid advances in technology taking place, it is mission critical to have solutions that are not only innovative, but flexible, scalable, and complete with industry-leading support and service. As a global company that places high value on collaborative interactions, rapid delivery of solutions, and prioritizing the needs of its customers, we strive to meet this challenge. Illumina’s innovative, array-based solutions for DNA, RNA, and protein analysis serve as tools for disease research, drug development, and the development of molecular tests in the clinic.

Rating Reviews

Rating is calculated based on 7 reviews and is evolving.

Featured Reviews

Research Scientist
3.3
20 April 2026
Work-Life Balance is Okay, Not Great
Pros: The hybrid model helps with flexibility for some. I could often WFH a couple of days a week, which was nice. Benefits are decent for a big biotech company. Health insurance and PTO are pretty standard.
Cons: Work-life balance can suffer when deadlines hit hard. Expect to put in long hours for R&D roles, especially before big data freezes. There's definitely an expectation to be onsite at the San Diego campus for lab work, even with the hybrid option. Sometimes management pushes aggressive timelines without enough resources.
Advice to Management: Try to be more realistic with project timelines and staff adequately. Empower managers to protect their teams' personal time better.
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Research Scientist
3.1
9 December 2025
Solid science, culture can be tough
Pros: The best part is working on cutting-edge genomics projects. You're surrounded by brilliant scientists in the San Diego office. We have a good purpose, that's for sure.
Cons: As a Research Scientist, I've seen the culture struggle with transparency. Sometimes it feels cliquey, and communication from leadership isn't always clear. It's a big corporate company, so change is slow.
Advice to Management: Work on improving internal communication across departments. Encourage more open feedback channels beyond just annual reviews. Foster a more inclusive environment for all, not just senior staff.
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Research Scientist
3.1
18 December 2025
Good Benefits, Base Pay Could Use a Boost
Pros: The health benefits are pretty solid, especially for a big biotech company. They offer good PPO plans, which is a plus in the expensive San Diego area. The 401k match is decent too; I appreciate that.
Cons: Base salary as a Research Scientist isn't super competitive compared to other companies in the genomics space. Annual raises feel pretty small, sometimes it's barely keeping up with inflation. It's tough to negotiate higher initially.
Advice to Management: Take a harder look at salary bands for scientists, especially junior to mid-level roles. It'd help a lot with retention against competitors in the life sciences industry.
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Common Questions About Illumina

What is Illumina's policy on remote work for roles like bioinformatics scientists in the San Diego area?
What is Illumina's policy on remote or hybrid work arrangements for roles like bioinformatics scientists?
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What is Illumina's policy on remote work for roles in bioinformatics, especially for those based near San Diego?
What is Illumina's policy on remote work for its biotech roles in San Diego?
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