Senior Software Engineer (Remote | $50–$100/hr)

Synthires; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 69,000 - 138,000; Part time

Job summary

Synthires is seeking experienced Software Engineers to build Reinforcement Learning environments for evaluating AI models on real-world software engineering tasks. You will create reproducible environments and reference solutions for bug fixing, feature implementation, code refactoring, and performance optimization.

No prior AI experience is required—your software engineering expertise matters. This contractor role is part-time (~15 hours/week) and remote, with competitive hourly compensation.

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on expertise in at least one major language (Python 3, Java, Rust, Go, C++, or TypeScript).
• Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles.
• Proven ability to debug complex systems and resolve challenging software defects.
• Experience implementing and delivering production-quality software features.
• Ability to optimize code and address performance bottlenecks.
• Experience working with large codebases and performing meaningful refactoring.
• Strong understanding of maintainable, scalable, and reliable software design.
• Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Create expert-level Reinforcement Learning environments that evaluate AI models on real-world software engineering challenges.
• Develop reproducible environments and reliable golden reference solutions for assigned tasks.
• Contribute expert code samples, debugging strategies, and development insights across supported programming languages.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex software defects across diverse codebases.
• Implement robust features with a focus on scalability, maintainability, and software engineering best practices.
• Refactor legacy code to improve clarity, efficiency, maintainability, and long-term reliability.
• Optimize software performance and identify bottlenecks across complex systems.
• Document technical reasoning, solution approaches, and implementation decisions to support high-quality AI training data.
• Review and validate peer-contributed code and technical submissions for accuracy, quality, and clarity.
• Ensure assigned tasks meet project specifications and established technical standards.

Skills

Python 3

Java

Rust

Go

C++

TypeScript

Algorithms & data structures

Job description

Type: Contractor (Part-Time, ~15 hours/week)

Compensation: $50–$100/hour

Location: Remote

About the Opportunity

micro1 is engaging experienced Software Engineers to support a customer project focused on training next-generation AI systems. You will apply your software engineering expertise to create Reinforcement Learning (RL) environments that evaluate AI models on complex software engineering tasks.

The work centers on building reproducible environments and golden reference solutions for problems involving bug fixing, feature implementation, code refactoring, and performance optimization. No prior AI experience is required—your software engineering expertise is what matters.

Responsibilities

• Create expert-level Reinforcement Learning environments that evaluate AI models on real-world software engineering challenges.
• Develop reproducible environments and reliable golden reference solutions for assigned tasks.
• Contribute expert code samples, debugging strategies, and development insights across supported programming languages.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex software defects across diverse codebases.
• Implement robust features with a focus on scalability, maintainability, and software engineering best practices.
• Refactor legacy code to improve clarity, efficiency, maintainability, and long-term reliability.
• Optimize software performance and identify bottlenecks across complex systems.
• Document technical reasoning, solution approaches, and implementation decisions to support high-quality AI training data.
• Review and validate peer-contributed code and technical submissions for accuracy, quality, and clarity.
• Ensure assigned tasks meet project specifications and established technical standards.

Required Qualifications

• Significant hands-on expertise in at least one of Python 3, Java, Rust, Go, C++, or TypeScript.
• Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles.
• Proven ability to debug complex systems and resolve challenging software defects.
• Experience implementing and delivering production-quality software features.
• Ability to optimize code and address performance bottlenecks.
• Experience working with large codebases and performing meaningful refactoring.
• Strong understanding of maintainable, scalable, and reliable software design.
• Excellent technical documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multiple programming languages from the supported technology stack.
• Experience modernizing legacy systems and performing large-scale codebase refactoring.
• Track record of delivering high-impact features from conception through implementation.
• Experience working on cross-functional software engineering projects.
• Strong ability to explain technical decisions and debugging approaches clearly.
• Interest in AI, Reinforcement Learning, or AI-assisted software engineering.
• Previous AI experience is beneficial but not required.

Compensation

• $50–$100 per hour
• Approximately 15 hours per week
• Compensation is output-based, with experts paid per task that meets project specifications.
• Task completion time may vary depending on experience and workflow.
• Minimum submission requirements apply, including a minimum number of tasks per week.
• Candidates should have significant professional software engineering experience.
• Strong expertise in at least one supported programming language is required.
• Prior AI experience is not required.
• Candidates should be prepared to begin promptly if selected.