Competitive Programming Expert - Remote Contract
Listing checked September 22, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery runs a research project with a leading AI lab, and the team needs competitive programming experts to join on a remote contract. The work asks for about 20 hours per week, and you can set your own schedule. The project seeks people with elite contest records, including top 1% on LeetCode, ICPC Nationals, Codeforces Master, or USACO Gold. Your day-to-day centers on algorithmic problem solving inside a software engineering group. Pay ranges from $30 to $60 per hour.
What You'll Do7
- 1Solve contest-level programming problems that require deep algorithmic thinking.
- 2Write, compile and test code in languages common to competitive programming.
- 3Choose data structures and algorithms that fit each problem constraint.
- 4Explain solution logic and complexity to researchers on the project.
- 5Review alternative approaches and compare their trade-offs.
- 6Contribute competitive programming expertise to an AI lab research effort.
- 7Track your hours and deliver work within a 20-hour weekly commitment.
Requirements6
- 1Proven competitive programming record, such as top 1% on LeetCode, ICPC Nationals, Codeforces Master, or USACO Gold.
- 2Strong command of algorithms and data structures.
- 3Ability to solve problems under time and memory constraints.
- 4Fluency in at least one contest language like C++, Python, or Java.
- 5Availability for a remote contract of about 20 hours per week.
- 6Comfort with an interview process that includes a 25-minute AI interview.
Who Should Apply
The ideal candidate brings a verifiable contest profile, with a Codeforces Master rating, USACO Gold, an ICPC Nationals appearance, or a top 1% LeetCode ranking. You enjoy spending 10 to 20 hours per week on algorithmic challenges and want to apply that skill inside an AI lab research project. Candidates who cannot point to concrete ratings or competition results often score low on fit. The role is less suitable for engineers who prefer building production applications over abstract problem solving, or who need full-time hours and a fixed schedule.
Salary Insight
Pay runs from $30.00 to $60.00 per hour for this contract. That range matches competitive programming work tied to AI research, where higher rates go to candidates with top contest ratings and proven problem-solving depth. At 20 hours per week, gross pay falls between $600 and $1,200 before taxes.
Location
Compensation
$30–60/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
During the 25-minute AI interview, be ready to walk through your contest profile. Name your exact Codeforces rating, LeetCode percentile, USACO division, or ICPC placement. Prepare to solve or explain an algorithmic problem out loud, and highlight the data structures and complexity analysis you use. Quantify your results so the reviewer can match you to the top 1% benchmark.
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Application & verification flow
1Instant rubric match
Your resume is scanned against this role’s requirements to check qualification fit.
2Screened before the employer sees it
Only profiles that clear screening are passed on.
3Outcome by email
We notify you at the address on your resume once the screening is reviewed.
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