Competitive Coder

What you'll do

If you have ever set problems for a contest, this is that job, with an AI model as the contestant. Each task is a reinforcement learning environment built around a competitive programming problem:

• An original problem that does not exist on any online judge. That rules out lightly reskinned Codeforces classics; the model has probably seen them.
• A reference solution.
• A robust test suite that separates correct solutions from almost-correct ones.
• A checker in C++ for problems with more than one valid output.

The ad also mentions validating submissions against problems sourced from platforms like Codeforces, refining requirements with the customer, and giving feedback to other setters on tests and checkers.

Who fits

• Real competitive programming strength and problem analysis
• Advanced C++ for writing checkers
• The ability to reason about constraints and multiple solution paths
• Close attention to edge cases and output consistency
• Clear written explanation of checker logic
• Independent remote work, to deadlines

Experience as a problem setter, tester or checker on a major platform is the one preferred qualification, and it is the one that most predicts success: setting is a different skill from solving.

What it pays

$45–65/hour on the card, but pay is per task that meets specification, with a weekly minimum number of tasks the ad leaves blank. Original problems are slow to create well, so this band is achievable mostly by experienced setters with a backlog of ideas. The commitment is stated as 15 or more hours a week.

Worth knowing

Good:

• 300 openings
• Narrow band, and the skill required is clearly defined
• Rewarding for people who enjoy setting problems

Less good:

• Originality is hard to guarantee and harder to prove; rejected problems are unpaid
• Per-task pay with an unquantified weekly minimum
• At least 15 hours a week expected
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, no notice period, your own tax to manage

About this listing

Posted by micro1 on its own jobs portal about nine days before we read it on 24 September 2026. micro1 says roles typically fill within 48 hours, with first tasks 24 to 48 hours after onboarding. Location is "Remote" with no country named. See micro1.