Senior Software Engineer - AI Lab Project (Remote)
Listing checked September 13, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
Dorado seeks senior software engineers for a 2-3 week contract with a leading foundational model AI lab. The work centers on complex SWE tasks that push model capabilities forward. You will commit roughly 20 hours per week, and the engagement pays hourly at $150-$210 depending on your location and experience. Strong contributions can earn promotion inside the project and improve your chances for future Mercor contracts.
What You'll Do6
- 1Spend about 20 hours each week on project tasks tied to a leading AI lab's model development.
- 2Solve difficult software engineering problems that test and stretch model capabilities.
- 3Complete a 30-minute AI interview as part of the vetting process.
- 4Finish a two-hour asynchronous SWE exercise and project instructions quiz, which pays $100.
- 5Contribute results that can lead to a promotion within the project.
- 6Build a record of successful work that can open future Mercor engagements.
Requirements7
- 110+ years as a software engineer at top US tech firms.
- 2Based in the US or Europe.
- 3Able to commit around 20 hours per week.
- 4Available for a 2-3 week contract.
- 5Strong record with complex software engineering tasks.
- 6Genuine interest in improving model capabilities at difficult SWE problems.
- 7Comfort with a 30-minute AI interview and a two-hour asynchronous exercise.
Who Should Apply
The right candidate has 10+ years at top US tech firms, lives in the US or Europe, and can give about 20 hours per week to a short AI lab project. You should enjoy breaking down hard SWE problems and thinking about how models handle them. This role is less suitable for engineers with fewer than 10 years at leading US tech companies, people outside the US or Europe, or anyone who cannot commit 20 hours weekly. Candidates often get rejected when they cannot show a clear record of complex software engineering work or when they skip the two-hour paid exercise. A weak fit score also comes from treating the 30-minute AI interview as a formality instead of a real technical screen.
Salary Insight
$150 to $210 per hour. Pay depends on geography and experience, and the contract runs for 2-3 weeks at about 20 hours per week. At that schedule, the range equals roughly $3,000 to $4,200 per week before taxes. Senior engineers with 10+ years at top US tech firms usually land at the higher end.
Pay and demand for Machine Learning & AI roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$75/hour
This role
$150–$210/hr
Most Machine Learning & AI roles pay $55–$100 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Based on 610 similar roles that publish pay · 99 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
- 697
- Listed in last 30 days
- 334
- Remote
- 95%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (298) · Mercor (101) · Handshake AI (65)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- python16%
- technical writing9%
- llm evaluation7%
- data annotation6%
Figures from Machine Learning & AI roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
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Compensation
$150–210/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Put your 10+ years at named top US tech firms in the first line of your application, then list two or three complex software engineering projects with measurable outcomes. State your US or Europe location and confirm you can commit 20 hours per week.
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