Expert Specialized Systems Engineer – PHP / Fortran / Slang

A leading AI research organization is evaluating how advanced AI systems perform in specialized engineering domains and is seeking experienced engineers with deep expertise in PHP, Fortran, and/or Slang.

This role focuses on assessing complex real-world software engineering scenarios and helping shape how advanced AI systems perform across web development, scientific computing, and graphics engineering environments.

Engineers specializing in a single language are encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do

• Apply software engineering expertise to evaluate technical tasks against real-world professional standards

• Review complex code-level scenarios and provide structured technical assessments

• Work within containerized development environments using:

  • Docker
  • Repository-based workflows
  • Automated validation tools
  • CI-style checks

• Interpret engineering environments and determine technical correctness

• Provide clear written explanations supporting technical judgments

• Complete structured tasks with defined evaluation criteria and timelines

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional or research experience in one or more of the following:

PHP

• Modern PHP (8+)
• Laravel
• Symfony
• Large-scale web applications
• Backend development

Fortran

• Modern Fortran (90/95/2003+)
• MPI
• OpenMP
• High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• Scientific computing
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
• Computational physics

Slang

• GPU shader programming

• Graphics programming

• Real-time rendering

• DirectX

• Vulkan

• CUDA

• NVIDIA Falcor or similar frameworks

• Ability to work within:

  • Linux environments
  • Docker-based repositories
  • Automated testing and CI workflows

• Strong written communication skills

• Ability to explain not only what code does, but why it is technically correct and follows established engineering practices

Preferred Backgrounds

Applicants may come from:

• Web platform engineering teams
• High-performance computing environments
• National laboratories
• Academic research institutions
• Graphics research organizations
• Game engine development teams

A public GitHub profile is not required.

Why This Work Matters

PHP, Fortran, and Slang power critical systems across web infrastructure, scientific computing, and GPU graphics.

These domains remain underrepresented in AI research. Your expertise will directly influence how future AI systems learn to understand and operate within these specialized environments.

Engagement Details

• Compensation: $100–200/hour depending on expertise and experience
• Expected commitment: 20–40 hours per week

Work Availability

Task volume may fluctuate and work often arrives in batches.

Ideal contributors are:

• Flexible with scheduling
• Comfortable supporting occasional weekend work
• Able to take ownership of task completion and project momentum

Additional Notes

• No proprietary tooling is required
• Tasks can be completed using standard development tools and environments

Contract & Payment Terms

• Independent contractor engagement
• Fully remote work
• Flexible schedule
• Projects may be extended, shortened, or concluded based on project needs and performance
• Weekly payments through Stripe or Wise

Important Note

Mercor currently cannot support:

• H1-B candidates
• STEM OPT candidates

About Mercor

Mercor partners with leading AI labs and enterprises to train and evaluate frontier AI systems using real-world human expertise.

Contributors work directly on projects helping shape the next generation of AI technologies.