Freelance AI / ML Penetration Tester

Mindrift; Johannesburg; Remote; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Part time

Job summary

A forward-thinking AI company in South Africa seeks an AI Tutor in Coding to evaluate and improve AI models. Candidates must have a degree in Computer Science and be proficient in scripting languages. The role is fully remote, offering competitive rates up to $20/hour, allowing flexibility around your primary commitments.

Benefits

Competitive pay up to $20/hour

Flexible freelance schedule

Opportunity to work on advanced AI projects

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Computer Science or related fields.
• Advanced English proficiency required.
• Experience in scripting and automation essential.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and red team AI models for vulnerabilities.
• Create test cases to evaluate AI safety.
• Develop automation scripts and tools.

Skills

Scripting and automation using Python

Advanced (C1) English proficiency

Containerization and CI/CD security tools

Penetration testing

Knowledge of AI vulnerabilities

Red-teaming frameworks

Offensive exploitation

Reverse engineering

Network and application security

Secure coding practices

Adaptability to new methods

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Ghidra

Job description

This opportunity is only for candidates currently residing in the specified country. Your location may affect eligibility and rates. Please submit your resume in English and indicate your level of English proficiency.

At Mindrift , innovation meets opportunity. We believe in using the power of collective intelligence to ethically shape the future of AI.

What we do

The Mindrift platform connects specialists with AI projects from major tech innovators. Our mission is to unlock the potential of Generative AI by tapping into real-world expertise from across the globe.

About the Role

GenAI models are improving very quickly, and one of our goals is to make them capable of addressing specialized questions and achieving complex reasoning skills. If you join the platform as an AI Tutor in Coding, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate on these projects.

Although every project is unique, you might typically :

• Evaluate and red team AI models and agents and machine learning systems for vulnerabilities and safety risks.
• Create offline reproducible & auto-evaluable test cases to test safety & capability of AI agents .
• Develop and implement automation scripts, custom tools, environments and test harnesses.
• Lead or contribute to security research initiatives , especially in AI safety, creating and implementing realistic and challenging attack scenarios for the model.
• Advise on cybersecurity best practices and policy implications.

How to get started

Simply apply to this post, qualify, and get the chance to contribute to projects aligned with your skills, on your own schedule. From creating training prompts to refining model responses, you’ll help shape the future of AI while ensuring technology benefits everyone.

Requirements

• You hold a Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics or other related fields.
• Your level of English is advanced (C1) or above.
• Proficient in scripting and automation using Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Experienced with containerization and CI / CD security tools, especially Docker.
• Hands‑on experience with penetration testing across web, API, network, and infrastructure environments.
• Knowledge of vulnerabilities in current AI models, including prompt injections, with knowledge of OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Familiar with AI red‑teaming frameworks such as garak or PyRIT.
• Experience in AI / ML security, evaluation, and red teaming, particularly with LLMs, AI agents, and RAG pipelines.
• Proficient in offensive exploitation and exploit development.
• Skilled in reverse engineering using tools like Ghidra or equivalents.
• Expertise in network and application security, including web application security.
• Knowledge of operating system security concepts such as Linux privilege escalation and Windows internals.
• Familiar with secure coding practices for full‑stack development.
• You are ready to learn new methods, able to switch between tasks and topics quickly and sometimes work with challenging, complex guidelines.
• Our freelance role is fully remote so, you just need a laptop, internet connection, time available and enthusiasm to take on a challenge.

Benefits

Why this freelance opportunity might be a great fit for you?

• Get paid for your expertise, with rates that can go up to $20 / hour depending on your skills, experience, and project needs.
• Take part in a part‑time, remote, freelance project that fits around your primary professional or academic commitments.
• Work on advanced AI projects and gain valuable experience that enhances your portfolio.
• Influence how future AI models understand and communicate in your field of expertise.