Senior Software Engineer
Micro1 • Remote
Education
Any
Type
per_task
Pay Rate (by country)
$50–$150/task
Actively Hiring
100 openings
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What We Know About This Role
- Interview
- Required i As stated in the listing: “Job Type: Contractor (~15 hrs a week)”
- Weekly hours
- 15 hrs/week
- Start timeline
- Starts within 24–48 hrs of onboarding
About this Role
From the Micro1 listing
Job Title: Senior Software Engineer Job Type: Contractor (~15 hrs 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 software engineering workflows. These workflows are similar in scope to common DevOps | CI/CD | Debugging workflows using common cli tools such as git, docker, gdb, asan, ffmpeg and many more. Your task will be to create reproducible rl environments that test a model's ability to solve these workflows along with a golden reference solution.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Proficiency in C++, Python, JAVA, GoLang, Typescript, or Rust.
- Deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, and performance tuning.
- Demonstrated experience in debugging complex software issues and delivering maintainable solutions.
- Strong background in feature development and codebase refactoring.
- Proven ability to optimize software for performance and scalability.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen attention to detail.
- Track record of success in collaborative, cross-functional teams, ideally in remote settings.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working on large-scale, distributed codebases.
- Familiarity with modern AI or machine learning systems is a plus, though not required.
- Background in participating in rigorous code reviews and contributing to the development of software best practices.
Process
- Apply to the role, filling out the screening questions
- Complete AI interview (aprox. 30 minutes)
- Technical Assessment (Tentative)
- Hiring Manager review
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
- Python3
- JAVA
- Rust
- Algorithms
- Basics C++
- Typescript
- bug fixing
Why This Role
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Does Micro1 monitor your computer while you work?
On many projects, yes, through time-tracking tools that take periodic screenshots to verify active hours. Check the specific project's requirements before accepting if desktop monitoring is a dealbreaker.
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.
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.
Why do these AI training roles pay so much?
Because general knowledge isn't what's being tested. The model already knows the basics; what it needs is expertise on edge cases, the rare, difficult, highly technical judgment calls only a senior professional in the field would make correctly.
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.
What does Software Engineering work look like for a Senior Software Engineer?
Tasks here are scoped to Software Engineering, not generic labeling. As a Senior Software Engineer, 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.
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, 100 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 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.
Is there an interview?
Yes. Complete AI interview (aprox. 30 minutes)