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STEM mercor

Performance Engineer (C++, Python, Rust)

Mercor • Remote

Education

Not stated

Type

Contract

Pay Rate

$100–$130/task

Listed

139d ago

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About this role

From the Mercor listing

Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge GenAI team to be at the core of the AI revolution, where your expertise fuels the development of the most advanced Large Language Models.

We're seeking talented Performance Engineers with deep expertise in low-level systems optimization — specifically C++, Python, and Rust — to bring hands-on technical excellence and elevate the quality of our AI training and inference infrastructure data.

Location Requirements

About Cincinnatus LLC

Equal Employment Opportunity

Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge GenAI team to be at the core of the AI revolution, where your expertise fuels the development of the most advanced Large Language Models. We're seeking talented Performance Engineers with deep expertise in low-level systems optimization — specifically C++, Python, and Rust — to bring hands-on technical excellence and elevate the quality of our AI training and inference infrastructure data. This is a W-2 employment position with Cincinnatus LLC, with the opportunity to be placed at a leading AI Lab as part of their extended workforce. Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps and improve AI model performance in systems-level optimization, compiler engineering, and runtime performance topics. Design challenging, domain-relevant tasks across multiple specializations, and write accurate and well-structured solutions to performance engineering and systems programming problems. Evaluate performance engineering tasks and solutions and provide clear, written technical feedback. Develop guidelines and detailed rubrics/evaluation frameworks to assess systems design quality, profiling methodology, memory optimization, and performance analysis across AI workloads. Collaborate with other subject matter experts to ensure consistency and accuracy in training data. 2+ years of dedicated professional experience in performance engineering, systems programming, or low-level optimization. Deep hands-on expertise in C++ for performance-critical systems. Proficiency in Python for profiling, benchmarking, and tooling workflows; experience with Rust in systems-level or safety-critical performance contexts is a strong plus. Demonstrable track record of measurable performance improvements on production systems (e.g., latency reduction, throughput gains, memory footprint optimization). Demonstrable career progression Ability to engage reliably for at least 30 hours/week during weekdays. Strong written communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical decisions clearly. About Cincinnatus LLC: Cincinnatus LLC is an enterprise staffing company that partners with leading technology companies to source and employ highly skilled professionals for contingent and contract-based opportunities. Cincinnatus serves as the employer of record for these engagements, providing W-2 employment, payroll, benefits, and compliance, while placing employees directly within client teams to work on high-impact initiatives. Equal Employment Opportunity: Cincinnatus is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or any other legally protected characteristic. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

  • Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps and improve AI model performance in systems-level optimization, compiler engineering, and runtime performance topics.
  • Design challenging, domain-relevant tasks across multiple specializations, and write accurate and well-structured solutions to performance engineering and systems programming problems.
  • Evaluate performance engineering tasks and solutions and provide clear, written technical feedback.
  • Develop guidelines and detailed rubrics/evaluation frameworks to assess systems design quality, profiling methodology, memory optimization, and performance analysis across AI workloads.
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts to ensure consistency and accuracy in training data.
  • 2+ years of dedicated professional experience in performance engineering, systems programming, or low-level optimization.
  • Deep hands-on expertise in C++ for performance-critical systems.
  • Proficiency in Python for profiling, benchmarking, and tooling workflows; experience with Rust in systems-level or safety-critical performance contexts is a strong plus.
  • Demonstrable track record of measurable performance improvements on production systems (e.g., latency reduction, throughput gains, memory footprint optimization).
  • Demonstrable career progression
  • Ability to engage reliably for at least 30 hours/week during weekdays.
  • Strong written communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical decisions clearly.

Requirements

  • Must be eligible to work in Remote
  • Fluent proficiency in English (Written & Verbal)
  • Reliable high-speed internet connection
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
  • Demonstrated expertise in STEM

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Why this role

$100–$130/task makes this Performance Engineer (C++, Python, Rust) role one of the higher-paying remote options in STEM, and it pays for background you've already built rather than a new skill set.

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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 the day-to-day workload look like for elite-expert AI training roles?

Slow and deep, not fast and repetitive. A single task can take 45-60 minutes of researching citations or verifying complex calculations. Quality is what's being measured here, not throughput.

Is AI training work the same as traditional consulting?

No. Instead of client deliverables, you're given complex scenarios to evaluate: grading the AI's logic, correcting its hallucinations, and supplying expert-level reasoning it doesn't have on its own. The job is closer to teaching than consulting.

What does STEM work look like for a Performance Engineer (C++, Python, Rust)?

Tasks here are scoped to STEM, not generic labeling. As a Performance Engineer (C++, Python, Rust), 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?

Coding, Python, and Rust are named directly in the listing. If you don't have hands-on experience with these, expect the screening process to test for them directly rather than accepting adjacent experience as a substitute.

How much does this specific role pay?

This listing is posted at $100–$130/task, a per-task 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.

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.