Optics and Photonics Expert
Listing checked October 5, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery seeks optics and photonics practitioners for a remote, project-based position that centers on frontier AI research. You will build computational models of optical, photonic, electromagnetic, RF, or communications systems and translate that expertise into realistic problem sets. Work spans authoring expert reference solutions and grading rubrics, then reviewing submitted answers for technical correctness, depth, and domain judgment. The schedule is asynchronous, so tasks fit around a current job and no meetings or fixed hours apply. Pay sits at $100 per hour, with milestone bonuses tied to consistent high-quality output.
What You'll Do5
- 1Design realistic technical scenarios and problem sets that reflect optics, photonics, electromagnetics, RF, or communications challenges.
- 2Author expert-level reference solutions and grading rubrics for each scenario.
- 3Evaluate submitted solutions for correctness, depth, and domain judgment.
- 4Apply hands-on modeling experience with tools such as Lumerical, Zemax, COMSOL, or HFSS to keep scenarios grounded in practice.
- 5Review peer or candidate work to maintain technical standards across tasks.
Requirements8
- 1At least one year of hands-on work modeling or validating optical, photonic, electromagnetic, RF, or communications systems.
- 2Direct proficiency with at least one simulation package: Lumerical, Zemax, Code V, RSoft, COMSOL, Ansys HFSS, CST, Meep, or Tidy3D.
- 3Current or recent activity in optics or photonics, with practical project work rather than academic-adjacent study alone.
- 4Readiness to operate on a remote, asynchronous schedule with independent task ownership.
- 5Bachelor's, master's, or PhD in a relevant field.
- 6Publication record, open-source contributions, or other recognized output in optics or photonics (preferred).
- 7Past experience reviewing, grading, or evaluating technical work from peers or colleagues (preferred).
- 8Bonus expertise in integrated photonics and PIC design, metasurfaces and nanophotonics, antenna and RF systems, fiber optic communications, or DSP and wireless PHY.
Who Should Apply
The ideal applicant holds a bachelor's, master's, or PhD and has spent at least a year modeling optical, photonic, electromagnetic, RF, or communications systems with a tool like Lumerical, Zemax, COMSOL, or HFSS. You should still be active in the field, whether through industry projects, research, or open-source work, and you need to show that your experience is hands-on rather than academic-adjacent alone. Candidates who lack a named simulation tool or cannot point to recent practical modeling work tend to score low on fit, even when their academic background looks strong. This role also suits people with peer review, grading, or code review history, since the work involves judging submitted solutions. If you need constant collaboration, fixed hours, or step-by-step direction, the asynchronous setup will be a poor match.
Salary Insight
Compensation is $100 per hour, plus milestone bonuses tied to consistent high-quality work. For project-based expert evaluation in optics and photonics, that rate reflects the specialized modeling skills and the independent, asynchronous format.
Pay and demand for Hardware & Embedded Systems roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$85/hour
This role
$100/hr
Most Hardware & Embedded Systems roles pay $68–$100 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 99 similar roles that publish pay · 9 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
- 118
- Listed in last 30 days
- 83
- Remote
- 89%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (46) · Mercor (20) · Handshake AI (19)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- technical writing14%
- matlab14%
- mechanical engineering12%
- python12%
Figures from Hardware & Embedded Systems 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/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Lead your application with a named simulation tool and a concrete project where you built or validated an optical, photonic, electromagnetic, RF, or communications model. Quantify the model scope (component count, frequency range, mesh size, or validation error) and mention any peer review, grading, or code review work, since those signals map to the evaluation tasks. If you have publications or open-source contributions in integrated photonics, metasurfaces, antenna and RF systems, fiber optics, or DSP, list them near the top and be ready for a background check.
How NearSkill helps you apply
1. Check your job match
We compare your resume with the job requirements to help you understand how well your experience fits.
2. Continue to the employer’s website
We’ll direct you to the employer’s application portal, where you can complete the application.
3. Get updates by email
If NearSkill is handling follow-up for this role, we’ll email you when there’s an update on your screening.
Want to check your fit first?
See how your resume matches this role before applying.
Check my job matchSimilar open positions
Explore active roles that match your skills and interests.
Handshake AI
VerifiedComputational Physics Expert
Handshake AI seeks computational and theoretical physicists to join a remote, part-time contract effort that improves how AI models handle advanced physics. You will build tough problems, test model answers against real numerical methods, and write feedback that reflects how physicists solve problems in practice. The work fits around another job, with no fixed schedule or minimum hours, and pays $75 per hour through a fellowship program. Projects continue as new tasks arrive, so you can accept work when your calendar allows.
Micro1
VerifiedPhysics Expert AMO Quantum Information Contract Remote
A contractor role for a Physics Expert specializing in AMO and Quantum Information. You’ll work remotely on a research-focused project that benchmarks advanced quantum optics concepts in collaboration with a client. Your domain knowledge will help train next-generation AI systems by providing real-world input and rigorous analysis. Emphasis on cascaded optical parametric amplifiers, SU(1,1) interferometers, and the impact of loss and two-mode squeezing. You may contribute as a Solver, Auditor, or Adjudicator depending on subfield expertise and hands-on technique.
AfterQuery
VerifiedPhysics Expert - Remote Contract STEM Projects
AfterQuery builds reasoning problems that train AI labs to handle hard science. As a Physics expert on the STEM team, you write and vet questions that cover everything from first-year mechanics to advanced quantum mechanics, then judge how well a model answers them. The work runs remote and asynchronous, so you choose when to sit down with a problem set. Your reviews decide which items reach the labs and how the scoring rubric reads.
Micro1
VerifiedPhysics Expert for Statistical Physics & Quantum Info
micro1 seeks Physics PhDs to join a research-driven customer project that blends theoretical physics with numerical benchmarking. You will apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems, focusing on areas like replicated random-bond Ising/Ashkin-Teller models, the toric-code threshold, and the Nishimori line. This part-time, fully remote contractor role offers flexible hours (5-10+ hrs/week) and pays $100-$200/hr. No prior AI experience is needed; your domain knowledge is what matters.
Micro1
VerifiedPhysics Expert (PhD / Postdoc)
micro1 seeks Physics Experts with a PhD or late-stage doctoral work to support a customer project that trains next-generation AI systems. You will solve advanced problems from your subfield, write precise solutions in LaTeX, and verify results with SymPy, Python, and Jupyter. The engagement runs about 8 to 10 weeks at roughly 10 hours per week, with fully flexible scheduling that can fit evenings or weekends. No prior AI experience is needed. Your physics depth is the core qualification.
Mercor
VerifiedRadio Frequency and Electromagnetic Engineering Expert
Mercor seeks RF and electromagnetic engineering experts for a short-term, remote project with a leading technology organization. In this role, you will analyze antennas, RF circuits, propagation behavior, and system architectures, then turn your findings into clear recommendations. You will also review simulations and technical specifications, weigh design trade-offs, and validate engineering approaches with tools like HFSS and CST. The position is an hourly contract, so your earnings reflect the time you spend on problem-solving and expert evaluation.