Backend Engineering Specialist (Full Time)

Software Engineering • Hourly Contract • Remote • $45-$100/hour

Mercor is recruiting experienced backend engineers to curate coding datasets, evaluate LLM outputs, and strengthen AI reasoning for a leading AI lab.

As a Software Engineering Specialist on Mercor's Human Data Team, you will annotate, evaluate, and improve AI-generated code while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance training workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Curate code examples, provide detailed solutions, and make precise corrections across languages such as Python, JavaScript, C/C++, Java, Rust, and Go.
• Evaluate and refine AI-generated code to ensure efficiency, scalability, and reliability that meets enterprise standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance AI-driven coding solutions and benchmark LLM performance.
• Support training initiatives by improving annotation tools, workflows, and data quality.
• Contribute to developing coding tasks and datasets that challenge model reasoning and technical understanding.

Ideal Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional back-end development experience.
• Proficiency in multiple server-side languages such as Python and Node.js.
• Strong experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs and GraphQL endpoints.
• Hands-on experience with both relational databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL and non-relational databases like MongoDB or Redis.
• Deep understanding of database optimization, indexing, and query performance.
• Strong grasp of web security principles including authentication, authorization, and data protection.
• Experience with asynchronous processing and background jobsystems.
• Proficiency with testing frameworks for unit, integration, and end-to-end testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Adaptable, detail-oriented professional with strong logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker.
• Familiarity with front-end technologies like TypeScript or React for effective collaboration.

More About the Opportunity

• Location options include remote or in-person in Palo Alto, CA (in-office requires 5 days per week).
• Schedule is 9:00am to 5:30pm PST for the first two weeks before aligning with your local timezone.
• Requires reliable high-speed internet connection plus camera and microphone for virtual collaboration.
• U.S. applicants must reside outside of Wyoming and Illinois.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.

Compensation & Contract Terms

• $45-$100/hour for U.S.-based professionals depending on experience and location.
• International pay rates are available upon request.
• Classified as an independent contractor position with payments issued regularly.
• Hourly pay is part of a broader rewards structure that varies by country.

Application Process

• Submit your resume and statement of exceptional work.
• Complete a 15-minute screening interview.
• Participate in a technical deep dive covering software engineering and annotation experience.
• Work through a take-home coding or annotation challenge followed by a team meet and greet.
• The interview process is designed to be completed within one week.

About Mercor & JobHub

Mercor partners with JobHub by NeonLabs to connect top global talent with leading AI labs and research organizations. Through this collaboration, specialists across disciplines can contribute to frontier AI development with structured support.

Mercor is backed by investors including Benchmark, General Catalyst, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey. JobHub by NeonLabs recruits on Mercor's behalf and welcomes all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics, providing reasonable accommodations upon request.

Mercor partners with JobHub by NeonLabs to connect top global talent with leading AI labs and research organizations. Through this collaboration, specialists across disciplines can contribute to frontier AI development with structured support.

Mercor is backed by investors including Benchmark, General Catalyst, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey. JobHub by NeonLabs recruits on Mercor's behalf and welcomes all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics, providing reasonable accommodations upon request.