Mechanical Engineer with Python – Freelance AI Trainer

Mindrift; Arizona; On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

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.

Engineers with a mechanical background will design, evaluate, and validate AI-driven solutions, using Python for numerical checks and adhering to rigorous engineering standards. This role is part-time, non-permanent, with flexible project involvement.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields.
• 3+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong written English (C1/C2).
• Strong Python proficiency for numerical validation.
• Stable internet connection.

Responsibilities

• Design graduate- and industry-level mechanical engineering problems grounded in real practice.
• Evaluate AI-generated solutions for correctness, assumptions, and engineering logic.
• Validate analytical or numerical results using Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas).
• Improve AI reasoning to align with first principles and accepted engineering standards.
• Apply structured scoring criteria to assess multi-step problem solving.

Skills

Strong Python proficiency

Mechanical engineering experience

Written English (C1/C2)

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

Job description

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

What This Opportunity Involves

While each project involves unique tasks, contributors may:

• Design graduate- and industry-level mechanical engineering problems grounded in real practice
• Evaluate AI-generated solutions for correctness, assumptions, and engineering logic
• Validate analytical or numerical results using Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas)
• Improve AI reasoning to align with first principles and accepted engineering standards
• Apply structured scoring criteria to assess multi-step problem solving.

What We Look For

This opportunity is a good fit for mechanical engineers with an experience in python open to part-time, non-permanent projects. Ideally, contributors will have:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fields, e.g. Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Design, Computational Mechanics, etc.
• 3+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience
• Strong written English (C1/C2)
• Strong Python proficiency for numerical validation
• Stable internet connection

Professional certifications (e.g., PE, CEng, PMP) and experience in international or applied projects are an advantage.

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.

Payment

• Paid contributions, with rates up to $55/hour*
• Fixed project rate or individual rates, depending on the project
• Some projects include incentive payments
• Note: Rates vary based on expertise, skills assessment, location, project needs, and other factors. Higher rates may be offered to highly specialized experts. Lower rates may apply during onboarding or non-core project phases. Payment details are shared per project