Mechanical Engineering Expert
Handshake • United States
Education
Bachelor
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$90/hr
Listed
7d ago
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From the Handshake listing
Overview
Handshake is looking for experienced Mechanical Engineers to support AI research through flexible, part-time contract work. This is not a traditional engineering role—you'll draw on your hands-on experience in parametric solid modeling, GD&T-fluent drawing interpretation, standards-based mechanical calcs, or FEA validated with hand calcs to evaluate AI-generated content and provide feedback that helps AI reason like a practicing mechanical engineer. This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity that you can take on alongside your current role or studies.
What You'll Do
Create expert-level mechanical engineering problems and scenarios grounded in real part, assembly, and analysis work that gets manufactured, tested, or approved
Review AI-generated responses for technical accuracy, practical feasibility, manufacturability, and alignment with industry standards and engineering practice
Evaluate models, drawings, tolerances, calculations, and FEA results for correctness, defensibility, and whether a reviewer could dimension against them
Provide clear, structured written feedback to help improve AI model performance
Complete tasks at your own pace, with no set schedule or minimum-hour requirement
Qualifications
Industry experience — working mechanical engineer or current undergraduate/graduate student who has personally produced a part, assembly, or analysis that someone else manufactured, tested, or approved from
Degree — BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering field
If you are in the process of completing your bachelor's degree, internship experience is required.
Mechanical expertise — demonstrated depth in one or more of the following areas:
Parametric solid modeling built to tolerance
GD&T-fluent drawing interpretation
Standards-based mechanical design calculations
FEA validated against hand calcs
Additional Qualifications:
These are not required but will strengthen your application:
Proficiency with tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, NX, CATIA, Inventor, Fusion 360, ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, MATLAB, or comparable modeling and analysis environments
Experience producing manufacturing-ready drawings or models — for machining, sheet metal, casting, injection molding, or additive processes
Experience at a manufacturer, product design firm, aerospace/defense contractor, automotive supplier, or as a current MS/PhD student in Mechanical or a closely related engineering discipline
Required for All Applicants:
Based in the United States
Strong written communication and attention to detail
Ability to explain complex mechanical engineering concepts clearly
Ability to work independently in a remote, asynchronous environment
About
Handshake AI
Work authorization information
F-1 students who are eligible for CPT or OPT may be eligible for projects on Handshake AI. Work with your Designated School Official to determine your eligibility. If your school requires a CPT course, Handshake AI may not meet your school’s requirements. STEM OPT is not supported. See our Help Center article for more information on what types of work authorizations are supported on Handshake AI.
The application process
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Why this role
At $90/hr, this Mechanical Engineering Expert position compensates STEM expertise on its own terms, the kind of rate that would otherwise only show up inside a law firm, hospital, or research lab.
Talent pool
We're light on STEM candidates
We've matched 65 people with a STEM background against 726 STEM listings we've tracked, so most go out without one. Set up a profile and we'll consider you for a role like this one.
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Common questions
Can I use Handshake if I graduated years ago?
Probably not a good fit. Handshake's AI Fellowship roles target current university students and early talent within about 1-2 years of graduation. Experienced professionals typically find faster approval and better rates on Outlier or Mercor.
Is Handshake itself the employer for AI training roles?
For the AI Fellowship roles specifically, yes, Handshake acts as the employer of record. That's different from the rest of the site, which functions as a job board listing openings for other companies.
Do I need a PhD for academic-niche AI training roles?
For the top pay tiers, a PhD or current enrollment is usually expected. But the domain assessment is what decides it: if you can solve the problems, the degree becomes secondary.
Is academic-niche AI training a continuous job?
Usually not. Work runs in campaigns, like training a model specifically on quantum mechanics, that might last a few weeks. Treat it as a high-paying fellowship or grant rather than a permanent daily job.
What does STEM work look like for a Mechanical Engineering Expert?
Tasks here are scoped to STEM, not generic labeling. As a Mechanical Engineering Expert, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to STEM) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on STEM background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
Expert is named directly in the listing. If you don't have hands-on experience with this, expect the screening process to test for it directly rather than accepting adjacent experience as a substitute.
How much does this specific role pay?
This listing is posted at $90/hr, an hourly rate. Pay can change between when we last checked the listing and when you apply, so confirm the current number on the platform's own application page before committing time.
What happens when I click Apply on this listing?
You'll be taken to Handshake's external site to complete your application there. This listing links through a referral, but the process is identical to applying directly; the link just routes you correctly. Create an account on their site and follow their onboarding steps.
Can I apply from outside the United States?
This specific role is open only to people based in the United States. If you are somewhere else, applying is unlikely to lead to an offer even if you pass the assessment, because the restriction is usually about where the work can legally be contracted rather than your skills. Read the full description for any tax-residency or right-to-work caveats before you apply.
Are Handshake AI training listings internships?
Some are, some aren't. Handshake lists both standard internships and separate "AI Trainer" fellowships. Check the job description for "1099" or "Contract" language: that signals a freelance role, not W-2 employment.