Senior Software Engineer (RL Environments, $50–100/hr)

What you'll do

You turn everyday engineering problems into test beds for AI models. A task might be a defect buried in an unfamiliar codebase, a feature that needs adding cleanly, a tangle of legacy code to refactor, or a slow function to optimise. For each one you build an environment that rebuilds identically every time, then write the golden reference solution the model's attempt will be judged against.

Reproducibility is the hard part. Pinned dependencies, deterministic builds and a problem statement that has one defensible best answer take real care, and they are what make the task usable for reinforcement learning rather than a one-off puzzle. You also write up your reasoning and approach, and review code and submissions from other contributors.

Python3, Java, Rust, Go, C++ and TypeScript are the named languages; strong depth in one is enough.

Who fits

• Significant hands-on experience in at least one of Python3, Java, Rust, Go, C++ or TypeScript
• A deep grasp of algorithms, data structures and software engineering principles
• Proven debugging of complex systems and effective optimisation work
• Experience with large-codebase refactoring or legacy modernisation
• A record of shipping features in cross-functional teams
• Clear written explanations of technical choices

No AI experience is required, and the ad sets no degree or years-of-experience floor.

What it pays

The published band is $50–100/hour, paid on output: per task that meets the project specifications, with a weekly minimum number of submissions that is not quantified. How much of the band you actually see depends on how quickly you produce accepted environments. Expect roughly 15 hours a week.

How it differs from the $100–150 posting

micro1 has a $100–150/hour posting whose text is identical to this one: same scope, same qualifications, same compensation terms. The only published difference is the band, which here starts $50 lower. This posting is also older (about a month on the board versus under a week), and it is not flagged high demand. If you qualify for one you qualify for the other; it is worth asking which project and band your application is being considered for. micro1 also runs an MCP-focused variant at $80–120.

Worth knowing

Good:

• 100 openings
• About 15 hours a week, fits around other work
• No AI background or employer pedigree needed
• Substantive engineering: environments and reference solutions, not labelling

Less good:

• The same work is advertised elsewhere on micro1 at a higher band
• Per-task pay: rejected tasks earn nothing and no per-task fee is published
• An unquantified weekly submission minimum
• Fast start expected once onboarded (first tasks within 24–48 hours)
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, your own tax to manage

About this listing

Posted by micro1 on its own jobs portal about a month before we read it on 24 September 2026. The $50–100/hour band, the 100 openings, the 15-hour weekly guide and the per-task terms are its published text. Location is Remote with no country list, and the customer is not named. Payment schedule and method are not published on the listing. See micro1.