Civil Engineers & Architects (Must own MacBook)
Listing checked October 19, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
Mercor is staffing a research project for a leading AI lab, and the lab needs people who actually do civil and architectural design work. You will run building, structural, and site tasks on your own Mac, then walk researchers through each choice as you make it. Expect about 10 to 20 hours a week with an immediate start. The software is whatever you already draft in: AutoCAD for Mac, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, or Rhino.
What You'll Do8
- 1Work through civil engineering and architectural design tasks on your Mac, from first concept through finished drawings.
- 2Record your reasoning as you draft so the research team can see how each design decision took shape.
- 3Handle exercises across structural, site, or building design that mirror real project conditions.
- 4Produce each deliverable in Mac-compatible software such as AutoCAD for Mac, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, or Rhino.
- 5Turn finished work into structured training data with clean notes and consistent labeling.
- 6Explain technical choices in plain terms to researchers who may not share your engineering background.
- 7Flag gaps or errors you spot in model output so the lab knows what to correct.
- 8Keep a steady 10 to 20 hour weekly schedule and meet the deadlines you agree to.
Requirements8
- 1Own a MacBook or Mac desktop with an Apple M-series chip or Intel processor running macOS 15 or newer. No Mac means the application cannot proceed.
- 2Degree in civil engineering, architecture, or a related field.
- 3Either 2 to 3 years of professional experience plus a bachelor's from a strong institution, or current or recent master's study in civil engineering or architecture.
- 4Working skill with Mac-compatible design tools: AutoCAD for Mac, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, or Rhino.
- 5Background in structural, site, or building design adds weight to an application.
- 6Ability to narrate design decisions while you work, not only after the fact.
- 7Strong written and verbal communication.
- 8Immediate availability preferred.
Who Should Apply
Civil engineers and architects with 2 to 3 years of practice, or master's students in either field, who already draft in Mac-based tools and can talk through a design while making it. You need your own M-series or Intel Mac on macOS 15 or newer to qualify.
Salary Insight
This role pays $50 to $60 per hour, billed hourly. At 10 to 20 hours a week that works out to roughly $500 to $1,200 in gross weekly pay. The short paid assessment you complete during screening is also compensated.
Pay and demand for Hardware & Embedded Systems roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$75/hour
This role
$50–$60/hr
Most Hardware & Embedded Systems roles pay $55–$100 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 196 similar roles that publish pay · 32 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
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- Listed in last 30 days
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Most requested skills · share of roles
- technical writing15%
- python12%
- mechanical engineering11%
- matlab11%
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Compensation
$50–60/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Put your Mac model, chip, and macOS version on the first line of your resume, since screening filters on that detail before anyone reads your experience. Then name the exact drafting tools you use (ArchiCAD, Revit-adjacent work, Rhino, whatever applies) and tie each to a project type, because the AI interviewer probes how you reason through design choices.
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