Cybersecurity Expert
Mercor • Remote, United States
Education
Not stated
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$80–$90/hr
Listed
93d ago
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Apply Now → ⚡ Boost your chances - Optimize your resume with Rezi.aiAbout this role
From the Mercor listing
Role Overview
Mercor is seeking senior cybersecurity professionals to build evaluation tasks for AI systems operating in security operations, incident response, and risk management contexts.
The workflows are calibrated to the threat sophistication, business risk stakes, and scope of major enterprise security programs.
This role builds worlds on two tracks: a US track (NIST Cybersecurity Framework, SOC 2) and an International track (ISO 27001, EU NIS2 Directive). Experts qualified in either or both tracks are encouraged to apply.
Contributors design cybersecurity scenarios, draft reference outputs, and write rubrics that capture how senior security leaders think.
Key Responsibilities
Construct cybersecurity scenarios spanning security operations center monitoring, incident response and forensics, vulnerability management, and security architecture design.
Build tasks across security operations and threat detection, incident response and digital forensics, vulnerability and penetration testing, security architecture and engineering, and governance/risk/compliance.
Develop scenarios involving tools such as SIEM platforms (Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel), EDR tools (CrowdStrike), vulnerability scanners (Tenable, Qualys), and GRC platforms used at major enterprises.
Apply cybersecurity methodologies (threat modeling, incident response playbooks, risk assessment) to the standards track a world targets (US: NIST CSF, SOC 2; International: ISO 27001, NIS2), and produce reference incident reports, security assessments, architecture designs, and compliance documentation.
Author rubrics that distinguish authentic security judgment from generic textbook or certification-exam-level recall.
Ideal Qualifications
5+ years working as a security engineer or CISO at a major company or security firm (Mandiant, CrowdStrike, or an in-house CISO/security lead).
Direct ownership of incident response programs, security architecture, or compliance initiatives.
Fluency in security tooling, plus understanding of regulatory frameworks and the current threat landscape.
A recognized professional credential is strongly preferred (CISSP, CISM, or an international equivalent); prior rubric or training authorship is a plus.
Requirements
- Must be eligible to work in one of: Remote, United States
- Fluent proficiency in English (Written & Verbal)
- Reliable high-speed internet connection
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrated expertise in Software Engineering
How long hiring takes
Across the AI training platforms we refer candidates to, the median gap between referral and hire is about 30 days. It varies by platform and role, so treat it as a rough guide for this one.
Talent Pool members
Apply through this link and we can put you forward to Mercor when your profile is a strong match. Not every applicant is submitted. If you're not in the pool yet, set up your profile first.
Set up your profile →Why this role
At $80–$90/hr, this Cybersecurity Expert position compensates Software Engineering expertise on its own terms, the kind of rate that would otherwise only show up inside a law firm, hospital, or research lab.
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Common questions
Does Mercor's application require an on-camera interview?
Yes, every applicant records a video interview with an AI interviewer that asks questions about your resume. Clients review that recording to judge communication skills before matching, so there's no way to apply without going on camera.
Does it cost money to apply to Mercor?
No, applying and joining Mercor is free. Mercor's revenue comes from a fee it charges the client on top of your hourly rate, not from applicants. Treat any request for payment to join as a red flag.
What does task-based AI training work look like?
Practical, hands-on data work: recording short videos, categorizing images, rating text responses, or analyzing data. Tasks are designed to be short and distinct, typically 5 to 60 minutes each.
What does Software Engineering work look like for a Cybersecurity Expert?
Tasks here are scoped to Software Engineering, not generic labeling. As a Cybersecurity Expert, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to Software Engineering) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on Software Engineering 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 $80–$90/hr, an hourly rate. The range reflects experience level and negotiated terms, not a placeholder, so where you land in it depends on your background and the assessment. 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 Mercor'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.
How soon will I start working after applying to Mercor?
Not immediately. Mercor is a talent marketplace, not a task queue, so applying puts you in a pool of candidates. You start working only once a specific client, like a major AI lab, selects your profile, and that matching process can take weeks.