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Software Engineering micro1

Competitive Coder

Micro1 • Remote

Education

Master's

Type

Per task

Pay Rate

$45–$65/task

Actively Hiring

300 openings

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What We Know About This Role

Weekly hours
15 hrs/week
Start timeline
Starts within 24–48 hrs of onboarding

About this role

From the Micro1 listing

Job Title: Competitive Coder Job Type: Contractor (15hrs+ a week) Location: Remote Job Summary: In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters. As an expert you will be creating Reinforcement Learning Environments which test an AI model’s ability to solve complex competitive programming problems. You will be tasked with creating a unique custom problem absent from all existing online judges, creating a reference solution and creating a robust test suite.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and implement checkers for competitive programming problems with multiple valid outputs, ensuring accuracy and robustness.
  • Evaluate and validate participant submissions against complex problem statements sourced from platforms like Codeforces.
  • Collaborate with the customer's team to fine-tune problem requirements and clarify ambiguous scenarios.
  • Develop clear, maintainable code in C++ to assess diverse outputs and edge cases efficiently.
  • Document checker logic and communicate intricacies or edge cases in both written and verbal form.
  • Provide feedback to problem setters and reviewers on potential improvements to test cases and checkers.
  • Stay updated with evolving competitive programming standards and incorporate best practices into checker development.

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Expertise in competitive programming and coding problem analysis.
  • Advanced proficiency in C++ for implementing robust checker solutions.
  • Strong analytical abilities to interpret complex problem constraints and multiple solution paths.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to articulate technical details clearly.
  • Meticulous attention to detail in code validation and output consistency.
  • Experience working independently in a remote, collaborative environment.
  • Commitment to producing high-quality, well-documented code under tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience as a problem setter, tester, or checker on major competitive programming platforms.

Compensation Structure

Compensation is output-based; experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required to complete work may vary depending on the expert’s experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply. Experts must submit a minimum of tasks per week.

Start Timeline & Availability

We typically fill roles within 48 hours and are looking for experts ready to jump in right away. If selected, we expect you to start your first tasks within 24–48 hours of completing onboarding.

Requirements

  • Basics C++
  • C++
  • Competitive Programming
  • Must be eligible to work in Remote

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.

Within 2 weeks
~25%
Within 6 weeks
~60%
Within 3 months
~80%

Interview Prep

This listing calls for this tool directly. Prep for the technical screen:

Why this role

Micro1's Competitive Coder role pays $45-$65 per task for a 15-plus-hour-a-week commitment building Reinforcement Learning Environments that test an AI model's ability to solve complex competitive programming problems. The work requires real competitive programming skill in C++ rather than general software development. This role suits people with genuine competitive programming experience, not casual coding practice.

Skills and categories

Explore other opportunities in related specializations:

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Common questions

What does the Micro1 application process look like?

Expect a screening interview with Zara, Micro1's AI recruiter. Prepare for it like a real video call: good lighting, clear audio, verbal answers to technical questions. A human manager reviews the recording afterward, and some roles add a short skills assessment on top.

Can I apply to Micro1 from outside the US or UK?

Yes. Micro1 accepts applicants from most countries worldwide, unlike DataAnnotation or Outlier, both of which cap access to a handful of English-speaking countries. Most roles still require strong written and spoken English.

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 asynchronous AI training work mean in practice?

No set hours, no check-ins, no meetings. You log in when you want, pick up an available task, complete it, and submit; nobody is waiting on you in real time. That's different from remote employment, where you're expected online during business hours. The tradeoff: you're competing with others for available tasks, so an empty queue means there's simply nothing to do until more work is released.

What does Software Engineering work look like for a Competitive Coder?

Tasks here are scoped to Software Engineering, not generic labeling. As a Competitive Coder, 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?

Basics C++, C++, Competitive Programming, and Coding 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 many hours per week does this role require?

Based on the listing, this role is scoped at about 15 hours per week. Treat this as a real commitment expectation, not a loose estimate.

What does the 'openings' count on this listing mean?

It's Micro1's live count of how many candidates it's still trying to place for this specific role, 300 right now, not a countdown on your individual application. A higher number signals more active demand; it doesn't lower the bar for acceptance.

How much does this specific role pay?

This listing is posted at $45–$65/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.

How does per-task pay translate to an hourly rate?

It doesn't directly, that's the catch. Each task has a listed price and an estimated completion time, but your actual effective rate depends on how fast you work. If a task is estimated at 20 minutes and pays $8, that is $24/hr for a fast worker and $12/hr for a slow one. Track your actual time on the first few tasks before treating the listed rate as your real hourly income.

What happens when I click Apply on this listing?

You'll be taken to Micro1'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.