Software Engineer – Backend
Job Type: Contractor
Location: Remote
Schedule: Flexible, approximately 15 hours per week
Compensation: $30–$100/hour equivalent
Start: Candidates expected to begin within 24–48 hours of completing onboarding
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re looking for experienced backend software engineers to help train next-generation AI systems through high-quality, real-world coding tasks.
You’ll apply your software engineering expertise to create realistic and challenging problems for AI systems to solve, including feature implementation and bug fixing. You’ll also design deterministic verifiers that accept reasonable valid solutions and reject incorrect ones.
No prior AI experience is required. Your software engineering expertise, technical judgment, and domain knowledge are what matter.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
• Create realistic, interesting, and challenging coding tasks for AI systems.
• Design tasks involving feature implementation and bug fixing.
• Develop deterministic verifiers that correctly distinguish valid solutions from invalid ones.
• Work with existing codebases to implement features and resolve bugs.
• Debug software and identify the underlying causes of technical issues.
• Investigate performance problems and system bottlenecks.
• Apply automated testing to validate implementations.
• Review code and assess whether solutions are technically sound and appropriate.
• Use independent technical judgment when evaluating and completing tasks.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
• Strong backend development experience using one or more of Java, Node.js, Go, Rust, TypeScript, Python, C++, or similar technologies.
• Experience building scalable services and APIs.
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with performance optimisation.
• Experience with automated testing.
• Strong code review instincts.
• Solid understanding of algorithms, data structures, and foundational computer science concepts.
• Experience implementing features and fixing bugs in existing codebases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong technical communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality and performant backend software projects.
• Demonstrated success identifying and resolving software bugs and system bottlenecks.
• Experience with codebase refactoring and implementing complex features in large-scale applications.
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals.
• Experience designing or maintaining robust testing practices is an advantage.
WORK ARRANGEMENT
• Fully remote contractor position.
• Approximately 15 hours per week.
• Flexible working schedule.
• You choose your working hours and days, including weekends if preferred.
• No previous AI experience is required.
COMPENSATION
Annualized Equivalent: $62,400–$208,000/year based on 40 hours per week
Hourly Rate: $30–$100/hour
Compensation is output-based. Experts are paid per task that meets the applicable project specifications. The time required to complete each task may vary depending on experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply, including a minimum number of tasks per week.
The annualized figure is an hourly-equivalent reference. Actual compensation is based on qualifying task output.
SELECTION PROCESS
Apply to the role and complete the screening questions.
Complete an AI interview of approximately 15–20 minutes.
Complete a technical assessment, if applicable.
Hiring manager review.
The interview and assessment stages are designed to evaluate how you think and are expected to be completed without outside assistance. The same principle applies to project work, where the value of the contribution comes from your own technical judgment.
START TIMELINE & AVAILABILITY
The hiring process is typically completed within 48 hours.
Selected candidates should be ready to begin quickly, with an expectation to start their first tasks within 24–48 hours of completing onboarding.