
Open Source Applied Engineer Talent Network | $100-$150/hr Remote
Listing checked August 29, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
This role is part of a talent network seeking seasoned open source contributors who are deeply skilled in languages like Python, Java, C, JavaScript, or TypeScript. You'll collaborate on high-impact, globally-reaching projects, focusing on designing evaluations and analyzing system performance. It's a remote, part-time opportunity for engineers who thrive in asynchronous, distributed teams and want to shape the future of coding assessments.
What You'll Do4
- 1Architect and oversee the creation of coding evaluations across multiple languages, including JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, and C.
- 2Develop test cases that rigorously assess system performance under a variety of engineering scenarios.
- 3Analyze how systems behave on real-world user use cases to identify both strengths and areas needing improvement.
- 4Clearly communicate evaluation results to the research team to drive ongoing development and optimization.
Requirements7
- 1A strong GitHub (or equivalent) portfolio with frequent, high-quality contributions to major open-source projects within the last 12 months.
- 2Expertise in at least one of: Python, Java, C, JavaScript, or TypeScript.
- 3Deep familiarity with popular libraries, frameworks, and tooling in your primary language(s).
- 4Solid grasp of software architecture, performance tuning, and writing scalable code.
- 5Proven ability to collaborate effectively in distributed, asynchronous teams.
- 6Self-starter who can identify contribution areas and execute improvements with minimal direction.
- 7Comfortable using Git, CI/CD systems, and participating in open-source governance workflows.
Who Should Apply
If you're an experienced open source contributor who loves digging into code performance, crafting evaluations, and working independently yet collaboratively, this talent network is for you. You should have a standout GitHub presence and deep language expertise, plus the drive to improve systems at scale.
Salary Insight
The role offers an hourly rate of $100–$150.
Pay and demand for Talent Acquisition & Recruiting roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$65/hour
This role
$100–$150/hr
Most Talent Acquisition & Recruiting roles pay $45–$85 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Based on 383 similar roles that publish pay · 119 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
- 439
- Listed in last 30 days
- 245
- Remote
- 94%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (143) · SME Careers (115) · Mercor (54)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- llm evaluation21%
- ai training20%
- trainer feedback18%
- python18%
Figures from Talent Acquisition & Recruiting roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
Compare your resume against these rolesLocation
Compensation
$100–150/hr
Application Tip
Before applying, audit your GitHub profile—make sure your top 3–5 recent contributions clearly showcase your impact, include pull request links, and highlight diverse language use. A well-organized README on your personal projects can also go a long way.
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