Student Software Engineering Expert - Remote Contract
Listing checked September 22, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery
Overview
AfterQuery builds training content for AI systems, and this contract asks college software engineers to write and review coding challenges. You will create questions that push models through algorithm design, code debugging, system architecture, API design, testing strategies and similar topics. The work runs remote and asynchronous at 10 hours per week, so it can fit around a class schedule. A YC-backed startup, AfterQuery uses this content to help AI models handle real software development tasks with technical accuracy.
What You'll Do4
- 1Write software engineering questions and coding challenges that test AI models on algorithm design, code debugging, system architecture, API design, optimization, testing strategies, and other programming topics.
- 2Review model answers, verify technical accuracy, and check that each response follows software engineering best practice.
- 3Give detailed feedback on mistakes, missing steps, and strong reasoning so model behavior improves.
- 4Partner with software engineering and technical experts to tune question difficulty and keep every challenge both hard and useful for learning.
Requirements8
- 1Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a computer science, software engineering, or related technical degree program.
- 2Strong programming skill in one or more languages such as Python, Java, C++, or JavaScript, with a solid grasp of algorithms and data structures.
- 3Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills and a sharp eye for detail.
- 4Preferred: software development internship at a tech company or startup.
- 5Preferred: coursework or projects in algorithms, systems design, databases, web development, or machine learning.
- 6Preferred: open source contributions or personal coding projects that show technical depth.
- 7Preferred: familiarity with Git, testing frameworks, or modern development tools.
- 8Preferred: familiarity with AI or machine learning applications.
Who Should Apply
The ideal candidate studies computer science or software engineering and has built enough code to judge algorithm design, debugging, and system tradeoffs. You enjoy explaining why a solution works, spotting edge cases, and writing feedback that another engineer can follow. A GitHub profile with open source work, internship projects, or personal apps helps you stand out. This role is less suitable if you want a full-time schedule, avoid written critique, or prefer building production systems over evaluating model output. Candidates often lose points when they list languages but cannot walk through data structures, or when their GitHub shows no real project depth.
Salary Insight
The listing posts $50 per hour and also mentions a $40 to $60 hourly range. For a part-time contract that calls for strong coding skill and careful review of model answers, this band fits advanced students or recent graduates who can test code and explain their reasoning. Pay terms may come up later in the process.
Pay and demand for Software Engineering roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$74/hour
This role
$50/hr
Most Software Engineering roles pay $50–$95 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 700 similar roles that publish pay · 174 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
- 792
- Listed in last 30 days
- 415
- Remote
- 95%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (304) · SME Careers (141) · Mercor (105)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- llm evaluation15%
- python15%
- 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
$50/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Before you apply, clean up your GitHub and pin two or three repos that show algorithm work, debugging, API design, or systems projects. Add a README that names the languages and tools you used, then list those same languages in your application. For the 25-minute AI interview, practice talking through your code choices and how you would grade a model answer, since the role centers on technical feedback.
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