Backend Developer – Remote – Up to $85/hr

About the role

Mercor is seeking a remote Backend Engineer with experience using AI coding agents to tackle complex engineering tasks. You will work independently, leveraging frontier models to generate, review, and improve backend code.

Key responsibilities

• Use AI coding agents (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, Windsurf, Gemini CLI) to complete and evaluate engineering tasks.
• Review model‑generated code for correctness, quality, maintainability, and performance.
• Identify bugs, edge cases, and failure modes in AI‑produced outputs.
• Compare outputs from multiple frontier models and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
• Apply professional engineering judgment to realistic backend scenarios.
• Work asynchronously to meet deadlines while helping improve AI model performance.

Required profile

• 2+ years of professional backend engineering experience.
• Experience building APIs, distributed systems, microservices, backend platforms, or databases.
• Regular use of AI coding agents such as Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, Windsurf, Gemini CLI, or similar tools.
• Ability to evaluate model‑generated code and spot bugs, edge cases, and architectural trade‑offs.
• Preferred: experience with large‑scale production systems.

Required skills

• APIs
• Distributed systems
• Microservices
• Backend platforms
• Databases
• Cursor
• Claude Code
• Codex
• Windsurf
• Gemini CLI

What we offer

• Compensation of $85 per hour (up to $85/hr).
• Remote, fully asynchronous work environment.
• Opportunity to work with cutting‑edge AI coding agents.