Optical Engineer - Freelance Ai Trainer

Mindrift; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 29,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Mindrift connects specialists with project-based AI opportunities for leading tech companies, focusing on testing, evaluating, and improving AI systems. Participation is project-based, not permanent employment. Mindrift seeks optical engineers for flexible, part-time projects in Australia.

Candidates design problems, run numerical simulations, and document solutions for real physics challenges. This role offers intellectual variety, remote-friendly collaboration, and the chance to contribute to

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics (Theoretical, Experimental, or Computational) or related fields.
• 2+ years of professional experience: applied, research, or teaching experience is applicable.
• Experience with numerical simulation methods.
• Ability to design problems that mirror real physics research workflows.
• Creative thinking in problem design across diverse physics areas.
• Familiarity with physics modeling and approximation techniques.
• Strong written English (C1+)

Responsibilities

• Design original optics problems that simulate real physics research workflows.
• Document problem statements clearly and provide verified correct answers.
• Base problems on real research challenges or practical applications from optics & physics practice.
• Communicate results and collaborate with project teams.

Skills

Numerical simulation

Creative problem design

Optical engineering

English proficiency (C1+)

Education

Physics degree

Job description

Description

Mindrift connects specialists with project-based AI opportunities for leading tech companies, focused on testing, evaluating, and improving AI systems. Participation is project-based, not permanent employment.

What this opportunity involves

While each project involves unique tasks, contributors may use the following approaches:

• Design original optics problems that simulate real physics research workflows
• Ensure problems are computationally intensive and cannot be solved manually within reasonable timeframes (days/weeks)
• Develop problems requiring non-trivial reasoning chains in mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics
• Base problems on real research challenges or practical applications from optics & physics practice
• Document problem statements clearly and provide verified correct answers

What we look for

This opportunity is a good fit for optical engineers open to part-time, non-permanent projects. Ideally, contributors will have:

• Degree in Physics (Theoretical, Experimental, or Computational) or related fields
• 2+ years of professional experience: applied, research, or teaching experience is applicable
• Experience with numerical simulation methods
• Ability to design problems that mirror real physics research workflows
• Creative thinking in problem design across diverse physics areas
• Familiarity with physics modeling and approximation techniques
• Strong written English (C1+)

Project time expectations

For this project, tasks are estimated to require around 10-20 hours per week during active phases, based on project requirements. This is an estimate, not a guaranteed workload, and applies only while the project is active.

Compensation

On this project, contributors can earn up to$35 per hour equivalent , depending on their level and pace of contribution.

Compensation varies across projects depending on scope, complexity, and required expertise. Please note that other projects on the platform may offer different earning levels based on their requirements.