Codeforces Problem Setter

Micro1; United States; Remote; USD 62,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

micro1 is a data lab that helps AI labs and enterprises train foundational models with evaluation environments. We are seeking a Codeforces Problem Setter to create original competitive programming problems with reference solutions and robust test suites.

The role emphasizes advanced C++, strong CP credentials, and the ability to design demanding tasks for top judges. You will develop Reinforcement Learning Environments that test model problem-solving on hard algorithmic tasks, write reference

Qualifications

• Strong competitive programming background and advanced C++.
• Experience with competitive programming platforms and problem setting.
• Ability to reason about constraints, complexity, and edge cases.
• Attention to detail in validation and output consistency.
• Clear written English for documenting problems and edge cases.
• Independent work style and ability to meet deadlines.
• Prior experience as a problem setter, tester, or checker is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Design original competitive programming problems absent from major judges.
• Write a correct reference solution and verify it against constraints.
• Build robust test suites covering edge cases and maximum constraints.
• Implement checkers for problems with multiple valid outputs.
• Document the intended solution, complexity, and reasoning behind tests.
• Review problems from other contributors for correctness and coverage.
• Flag ambiguous problems or those with unintended solutions.

Skills

Basics C++

C++

Competitive Programming

CodeForces Handle

Open Source Contributions

Job description

Pay: $45 - $65/hour

Required Skills

• Basics C++
• C++
• Competitive Programming
• CodeForces Handle
• Open Source Contributions

About micro1

micro1 is a data lab that helps AI labs & Enterprises train foundational models and agents. We provide frontier evaluations and reinforcement learning environments to improve LLM capabilities, as well as contextual evaluations to monitor and improve AI agents in enterprise settings.

Our AI recruiting agent sources and vets domain experts for our data platform that enables rapid production of high-quality training data. Our research spans high-value, specialized domains (legal, medical, finance, coding, etc.), where expert-level data is the hardest to produce and most valuable for advanced model performance. Our pipeline performance system ensures both quality and velocity.

Job Title

Codeforces Problem Setter

Job Type

Contractor (15hrs+ a week)

Location

Remote

Opportunity Snapshot

Pay: $30 - $100

Commitment: 15+ hours per week

Location: Fully remote

You’ll need

Strong competitive programming background and advanced C++

Your tasks

Create original competitive programming problems with reference solutions and robust test suites

You’ll create Reinforcement Learning Environments that test a model’s ability to solve hard algorithmic problems. Each task means writing an original problem that doesn’t exist on any online judge, a correct reference solution, and a test suite strong enough that a wrong solution fails.

What you’ll do

• Design original competitive programming problems, absent from Codeforces, AtCoder, and all other judges.
• Write a correct reference solution and verify it against the constraints.
• Build a robust test suite: edge cases, maximum constraints, and tests that break plausible wrong approaches.
• Implement checkers for problems with multiple valid outputs.
• Document the problem’s intended solution, complexity, and the reasoning behind your test cases.
• Review problems from other contributors for correctness and test coverage.
• Flag problems that turn out to be ambiguous or have unintended solutions.

What we’re looking for

• Strong competitive programming record - Codeforces, AtCoder, ICPC, IOI, or equivalent.
• Advanced C++ for reference solutions and checkers.
• Deep algorithmic knowledge and the ability to reason about constraints, complexity, and edge cases.
• Meticulous attention to detail in validation and output consistency.
• Clear written and verbal English for documenting problems and edge cases.
• Comfortable working independently and meeting deadlines.
• Prior experience as a problem setter, tester, or checker on a major platform is a strong plus.

Compensation Structure

Compensation is output-based; experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required may vary depending on your experience and workflow. Minimum submission requirements apply.

Start Timeline & Availability

We typically fill roles within 48 hours and are looking for experts ready to jump in right away. If selected, we expect you to start your first tasks within 24-48 hours of completing onboarding.