Senior Software Engineer – Remote Contract
Listing checked September 20, 2026 · pay as published by Micro1
Overview
This remote contractor role at micro1 puts your backend engineering skills to work on training next-generation AI systems. You will design realistic coding challenges that involve feature implementation and bug fixes, then build deterministic verifiers that accept valid solutions and reject everything else. The schedule is flexible, you choose your hours and days, including weekends. No prior AI experience is needed. Your domain knowledge in languages like Python, Java, Rust, or TypeScript is what matters.
What You'll Do8
- 1Create coding tasks that mirror real-world feature implementation and bug fixing scenarios for AI models to solve.
- 2Write deterministic verifiers that pass reasonable valid solutions and fail all others.
- 3Debug and resolve issues in large codebases to ensure task correctness.
- 4Refactor existing code to improve structure and maintainability.
- 5Perform performance tuning on services and APIs to meet project standards.
- 6Conduct code reviews to uphold quality and consistency across tasks.
- 7Implement automated tests to validate task outcomes and verifier behavior.
- 8Submit a minimum number of completed tasks each week as required by the project.
Requirements9
- 1Strong backend development experience in at least one of: Java, Node.js, Go, Rust, TypeScript, Python, or C++.
- 2Proven track record building scalable services and APIs.
- 3Comfort with debugging, performance work, and automated testing.
- 4Solid instincts for code review and maintaining high code quality.
- 5Background in cybersecurity or SecOps is a big plus: secure coding, appsec, pentesting, vulnerability assessment, OWASP/CWE, or security-focused reviews.
- 6Demonstrated success identifying and resolving software bugs and system bottlenecks.
- 7Experience with codebase refactoring and implementing complex features in large-scale applications.
- 8Strong grasp of algorithms, data structures, and core computer science concepts.
- 9Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
Who Should Apply
This role suits senior backend engineers who enjoy crafting challenging coding problems and building verifiers that separate correct solutions from incorrect ones. You should have deep experience in at least one backend language and a habit of writing clean, testable code. Candidates with a cybersecurity background in areas like pentesting or secure code review will stand out. The role is less suitable for those who prefer frontend-only work or who need constant direction. A common reason candidates get rejected is submitting tasks that do not meet the deterministic verifier requirement, often because the verifier accepts multiple interpretations. Another is lacking the depth in algorithms and data structures needed to design tasks that are both realistic and solvable.
Salary Insight
Compensation is $30 to $100 per hour, but pay is output-based. You are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time to complete work varies with your experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply, and you must submit a minimum number of tasks each week.
Pay and demand for Software Engineering roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$75/hour
This role
$30–$100/hr
Most Software Engineering roles pay $50–$96 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 679 similar roles that publish pay · 169 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
- 757
- Listed in last 30 days
- 398
- Remote
- 97%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (299) · SME Careers (140) · Mercor (98)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- python16%
- llm evaluation15%
- ai training14%
- trainer feedback10%
Figures from Software Engineering 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
$30–100/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
When you apply, highlight specific examples of backend services or APIs you have built, and quantify the scale or performance improvements you achieved. Also mention any cybersecurity experience such as pentesting, vulnerability assessment, or secure code reviews, since that is a big plus. Be ready to explain your approach to designing deterministic verifiers during the technical assessment.
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