Senior Software Engineering Experts

$120–180/hr

rate as listed

Workload: ~15h/week
Engagement: Project-based
Location: Worldwide
Field: STEM and Coding

Design and evaluate realistic software engineering tasks used to improve frontier AI coding systems. The work draws on senior experience with large production codebases, debugging, architecture, testing and code review.

The work

You will create challenging software engineering tasks based on real production work, including feature changes, debugging, root-cause analysis, code review, system design, codebase questions, documentation and technical planning. Each proposal must explain why the task is realistic, how a solution can be verified and why current AI systems may struggle with it.

You will also produce reference solutions, tests and task-specific evaluation criteria covering correctness, architecture, maintainability, style and scope. Day to day, this includes reviewing AI-generated code, working alongside AI coding agents, documenting failure modes and revising submissions after structured reviewer feedback.

What Mercor screens for

The screening is likely to focus on verifiable senior engineering experience at a qualifying technology, quantitative or financial firm, plus specific examples from large and complex production codebases. Candidates should be prepared to defend technical decisions under follow-up and demonstrate strong command of at least one major language, such as Python, Java, C++, Go, TypeScript or Rust. Evaluation judgment matters as much as implementation skill, particularly the ability to distinguish passing tests from sound architecture, maintainability and correct scope.

Logistics

Candidates must be based in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. The listing does not disclose whether the engagement is remote, whether work is completed asynchronously or the typical weekly hours, so candidates should confirm these points during screening and state their availability precisely. Pay band: $120–180/hr

What they look for

4+ years of professional software engineering experience in a qualifying technology, quantitative or financial environment
Experience working in large, complex production codebases
Strong command of at least one major programming language
System design, testing, debugging and code review
Technical writing and evidence-based software evaluation
Bachelor's degree from an English-speaking country

Included with this listing

Interview prep — 10 questions

Matched to what this platform's screening actually measures. Answer each out loud in 60–90 seconds: claim → concrete example → implication.

What it tests: This verifies whether your experience reaches the stated four-year threshold and comes from the technology, quantitative or financial settings targeted by the project.
A strong answer: Give a chronological account with exact titles, approximate dates, team context and personal ownership of shipped systems. Separate your own technical decisions from the broader accomplishments of the company or team.
Where people lose it: Candidates lose credibility by relying on employer prestige while remaining vague about what they personally built, reviewed or operated.

Summary, eligibility guidance and screening preparation are prepared by Sidequest from the platform's posting. Check the source listing before applying.

STEM AND CODING on Sidequest

What stem and coding AI work pays

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