Python SWE
Mercor • Remote, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, United States
Education
Master's
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$100/hr
Listed
216d ago
Apply opens Mercor in a new tab.
Apply Now → ⚡ Boost your chances - Optimize your resume with Rezi.aiWhat We Know About This Role
- Interview
- Required i As stated in the listing: “This contract is expected to last at least 1 month”
- Weekly hours
- 20 hrs/week
- Contract length
- 4 weeks
About this role
From the Mercor listing
Mercor is recruiting U.S./UK/Canada/Europe-based SWEs for a model-training project with a leading foundational model AI lab.
You are a good fit if you:
- Have experience working at top US tech firms
- Proven track record of building and maintaining complex, production-grade Python systems — not just scripts or notebooks, but full-featured services, tools, or frameworks used in real-world environments.
- Deep understanding of Python language fundamentals, including advanced features like decorators, generators, async/await, context managers, and performance tuning (e.g., profiling, memory optimization).
- Experience designing modular, testable codebases, using modern Python tooling and best practices (e.g., FastAPI, Pydantic, type hints, dependency injection, unit/integration testing frameworks).
- The vetting process involves a technical interview conducted by a human; you will not be allowed to use an AI IDE (Integrated Development Environment) but you will be allowed to use LLMs or Stack Overflow
- You must be able to commit around 20 hours per week for this role
- This contract is expected to last at least 1 month
- Successful contributions increase the odds that you are selected on future projects with Mercor
- The vetting process involves a 90 minute human interview centered on Python - you will hear back within two weeks
- This role will pay $100/h based on experience
Requirements
- Must be eligible to work in one of: Remote, Canada, Europe, etc.
- Fluent proficiency in English (Written & Verbal)
- Reliable high-speed internet connection
- Master's's degree or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrated expertise in Business
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 →Interview Prep
This listing calls for this tool directly. Prep for the technical screen:
What to Expect
Looking at Mercor Business listings we've tracked, contracts in this domain typically run about 3 weeks. Actual length varies by project, but this gives you a realistic baseline going in. This listing's 4-week contract is longer than the typical 3-week Mercor Business engagement.
Based on 31 extracted Mercor Business listings.
Why this role
This Python SWE role pays $100/hr like specialized consulting, minus the client overhead. You set the hours, and the assignments draw directly on your Business background.
Talent pool
We're light on Business candidates
We've matched 55 people with a Business background against 1011 Business 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.
Set up your profileSkills and categories
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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 Business work look like for a Python SWE?
Tasks here are scoped to Business, not generic labeling. As a Python SWE, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to Business) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on Business background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
AI Training 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 many hours per week does this role require?
Based on the listing, this role is scoped at about 20 hours per week, over roughly a 4-week contract. Treat this as a real commitment expectation, not a loose estimate.
How much does this specific role pay?
This listing is posted at $100/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 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.
Do I need a Master's to qualify?
This role lists a master's degree as a requirement. In practice, the domain assessment is the real gate. If you can pass it, the degree is usually secondary. However, some platforms verify credentials formally, so list your actual qualifications accurately on your profile.
Can I apply from outside Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and 1 other country?
This specific role is open only to people based in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and 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, since they can differ by country.
Is there an interview?
Yes. The vetting process involves a technical interview conducted by a human
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.