16 hours ago

Software Engineer I

Mercor

Hybrid
Part Time
$104,000
Hybrid

Job Overview

Job TitleSoftware Engineer I
Job TypePart Time
Offered Salary$104,000
LocationHybrid

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Job Description

About Mercor

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Software Engineer I

This is a freelance opportunity with a duration of 1–2 months, requiring 15–25 hours/week, with flexibility up to 40 hours/week. Compensation is competitive, ranging from $70–$130/hour.

Role Responsibilities

  • Review model-generated code trajectories on realistic software engineering tasks.
  • Reconstruct chain-of-thought reasoning that explains each step of the solution process.
  • Annotate decision points, debugging logic, and problem-solving strategies.
  • Use full task context (codebase, issue descriptions, test cases) to infer plausible reasoning.
  • Ensure annotations reflect realistic developer thought processes and technical accuracy.
  • Work independently and asynchronously to meet deadlines while improving AI model performance.

Qualifications

Must-Have
  • 2+ years of experience in software engineering, with hands-on debugging and problem-solving in real codebases.
  • Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Strong proficiency in Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, or other common languages found in open-source projects.
  • Familiarity with version control workflows (Git, PRs, issue tracking).
  • Comfortable articulating technical reasoning in clear, structured writing.
Preferred
  • Advanced degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Application Process

The application process takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete and involves:

  • Uploading your resume.
  • A short, 15-minute AI interview to understand your background, experience, and interest.
  • Follow-up communication within a few days regarding next steps and onboarding.

Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.

Key Skills/Competency

  • Software Engineering
  • Debugging
  • Problem-solving
  • Code Review
  • AI Model Performance
  • Python/JavaScript/TypeScript
  • Version Control (Git)
  • Technical Writing
  • Asynchronous Work
  • Chain-of-Thought Reasoning

Tags:

Software Engineer
Software Engineering
Debugging
Problem Solving
Code Review
AI Model Performance
Python
JavaScript
TypeScript
Git
Version Control
Issue Tracking
Technical Writing
Asynchronous
Freelance
AI
Machine Learning
Data Annotation
Computer Science
Open Source

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How to Get Hired at Mercor

  • Research Mercor's culture: Study their mission, values, recent news, and employee testimonials on LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
  • Tailor your resume for AI roles: Highlight experience in debugging, problem-solving, and working with codebases, using keywords from the Software Engineer I description.
  • Prepare for the AI interview: Practice articulating your background and interest clearly, focusing on your relevant software engineering and analytical skills.
  • Showcase technical writing ability: Be ready to demonstrate comfort in explaining complex technical reasoning in a structured, concise manner.
  • Emphasize independent work: Highlight your ability to work asynchronously and meet deadlines, crucial for freelance opportunities at Mercor.

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