Engineering Expert - Fully Remote | Upto $75/hr Hourly
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for skilled engineers in AI research continues to grow, with a notable 21% increase in remote engineering roles in 2025, professionals with a strong command of graduate-level engineering principles are in high demand. With the rise of remote work, companies like mercor are leading the way in connecting elite talent with innovative projects. This role stands out for its unique blend of technical expertise and creative problem-solving, requiring candidates to have a PhD or be a doctoral candidate in Engineering or a closely related field. Before applying, candidates should be prepared to showcase their exceptional depth in a specific subdomain and excellent written English skills.
Job Description
About the Role
Mercor is seeking an Engineering Expert to work on a contract basis, creating high-quality questions for AI research labs. As a key member of the team, you will be responsible for developing original engineering questions that test deep conceptual understanding, ensuring they are unambiguous, self-contained, and precisely defined. This role is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere, and is compensated at a rate of $35-$75 per hour.The Engineering Expert will be working closely with the AI research labs team, providing expertise in graduate-level engineering principles, applied mathematics, and domain-specific standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong command of these principles and be able to express complex ideas clearly and concisely.
In this role, you will be working on a variety of projects, each with its unique challenges and requirements. You will be expected to be highly self-motivated and able to work independently, with minimal supervision. Your work will have a direct impact on the success of the AI research labs, and you will be recognized for your contributions.
What You Will Do
- Author original engineering questions that test deep conceptual understanding
- Ensure questions are unambiguous, self-contained, and precisely defined
- Rate each question's difficulty: Medium (intro undergraduate), Hard (advanced undergraduate), or Expert (post-graduate and above)
- Provide 1 correct answer and 9 plausible but subtly incorrect alternatives that challenge expert-level solvers
- Write step-by-step Chain-of-Thought solutions with clear, concise intermediate steps in markdown format
- Supply 1–5 academic references per question from reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals and university repositories
- Flag issues with clarity, completeness, precision, or solvability and justify any edits made
- Collaborate with the AI research labs team to ensure high-quality questions are developed
- Participate in regular meetings to discuss project progress and provide feedback
What We Are Looking For
- PhD or doctoral candidate in Engineering or a closely related field
- Master's degree considered for candidates with exceptional depth in a specific subdomain
- Strong command of graduate-level engineering principles, applied mathematics, and domain-specific standards
- Professional engineering licensure (PE) or industry experience is a strong plus
- Excellent written English and ability to express complex ideas clearly and concisely
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience with Excel and other relevant tools
Nice to Have
- Experience working with AI research labs or similar organizations
- Knowledge of machine learning algorithms and data structures
- Familiarity with cloud-based platforms and tools
- Certification in a relevant field, such as engineering or data science
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive hourly rate of $35-$75 per hour
- Flexible, fully remote work arrangement
- Opportunity to work with a leading AI research labs organization
- Recognition for your contributions to the team
- Professional development opportunities
- Access to a community of elite engineers and researchers
- Comprehensive support and resources to help you succeed in your role
How to Stand Out
- Make sure to tailor your resume and AI interview responses to highlight your graduate-level engineering skills and experience
- Be prepared to provide specific examples of your work and how it demonstrates your expertise in engineering principles and applied mathematics
- Showcasing your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely is crucial, so practice explaining your work in simple terms
- Having a strong portfolio of academic references and publications can be a significant plus, so be prepared to discuss your research experience
- When negotiating salary, be sure to research the market rate for similar roles and be prepared to discuss your expectations
- Red flags to watch for include lack of transparency about the company's goals and expectations, or unclear communication about the role's responsibilities
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.