Senior Software Engineer, Reinforcement Learning
You will create reproducible reinforcement learning environments that test how AI models solve complex software engineering workflows. Your work will cover DevOps, CI/CD, debugging, and command-line tools such as Git, Docker, GDB, AddressSanitizer, and FFmpeg.
- Field
- Machine learning
- Where
- United States, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh +46 more
- Commitment
- part time
- Hours
- up to 15/week
- Posted
- 2 days ago
Pay data for your profession: Data scientist AI trainer jobs
How this pay compares
At $100/hr (the midpoint of $80 to $120), this role pays more than 65% of the 72 open machine learning roles with a listed pay range, above the median of $90.
Among platforms with 10 or more priced machine learning roles, Mercor has the highest median ($108/hr across 10 roles) and Alignerr the lowest ($63/hr across 13).
OpenTrain AI roles that closed since late October stayed listed a median of 31 days (122 roles). OpenTrain AI posted this one 2 days ago.
Computed from 2,746 open roles we track across Mercor, micro1, Handshake AI, Alignerr, Appen and OpenTrain AI, refreshed daily. Midpoints of listed ranges; “up to” ceilings are left out of medians.
What you would earn at this rate
Per week, before tax
$1,500
Per month, if the work is steady
$6,500
- Tax
- Contract pay arrives with no tax withheld. A US contractor at this rate and these hours would set aside about $1,643 a month for self-employment tax plus federal income tax at the 12% bracket (25%, before state tax). Outside the US, your own country's rules apply.
Assumes paid hours only; unpaid assessments, onboarding and gaps between projects lower the real figure. Full take-home calculator · Track what you actually earn
Open machine learning roles on each platform
The same kind of work, priced on every platform we track, with the best-paid open role on each.
| Platform | Open | Median | Best-paid open role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercor | 10 | $108/hr | Machine Learning Engineer Talent Network$70-250/hr |
| micro1 | 12 | $90/hr | Applied Scientist$245-280/hr |
| OpenTrain AIthis role | 41 | $90/hr | Bioinformatics Machine Learning Expert$175/hr |
| Alignerr | 13 | $63/hr | Software Engineer - Machine Learning$90-120/hr |
| Handshake AI | 3 | up to $75/hr3 priced | Data ScientistUp to $120/hr |
“Up to” rows list only ceilings, so their median is a maximum, not comparable with the range midpoints above them.
All 79 open machine learning roles →The full listing
As posted on OpenTrain AI. See the original
The work
You will create reproducible reinforcement learning environments that test how AI models solve complex software engineering workflows. Your work will cover DevOps, CI/CD, debugging, and command-line tools such as Git, Docker, GDB, AddressSanitizer, and FFmpeg.
You will also create realistic software engineering scenarios, produce golden reference solutions that show reliable ways to complete tasks, and assess solutions using sound judgment about algorithms, data structures, maintainability, performance, and scalability.
- Design tasks that evaluate AI models on DevOps, CI/CD, and debugging problems.
- Build or refine reproducible reinforcement learning environments and realistic software workflows.
- Use command-line development and debugging tools, including Git, Docker, GDB, AddressSanitizer, and FFmpeg.
- Create golden reference solutions for the workflows and tasks you develop.
What it pays and takes
This is a remote, part-time contractor role. Work is available in the listed countries, subject to applicable hiring eligibility.
- $80 to $120 per hour equivalent, paid per task that meets project specifications.
- Expected commitment: approximately 15 hours per week.
- Open to candidates in the listed countries.
- Proficiency in one or more of C++, Python, Java, Go, TypeScript, or Rust.
- Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and performance tuning.
- Ability to debug complex software issues and deliver maintainable solutions.
- Experience with feature development, codebase refactoring, and performance optimization.
- Strong written and verbal communication, close attention to detail, and effective collaboration in remote or cross-functional settings.
- Helpful background includes large-scale or distributed codebases, modern AI or machine learning systems, and rigorous code reviews or software engineering practices.
- Prior AI experience is not required when you bring strong software engineering expertise.
How it works
You apply here in about two minutes and finish on the hiring platform. The next step is a short AI interview (technical roles include a coding challenge). Passing it is how you qualify for paid tasks, so take it soon after you are invited.
The hiring platform's application for this job asks for your resume, your LinkedIn profile, your phone number, your location and answers to 8 screening questions.
About AI training work
AI training is the human work behind systems that learn from examples, including software tasks, model responses, and evaluations. People with strong technical expertise help define reliable examples and judge whether AI systems solve difficult problems correctly.
From applying to your first payment on OpenTrain AI
- 1
Create a profile
Create a free OpenTrain profile with your domains, languages and hourly rate.
- 2
Apply
Apply to the listing. Some listings hire through OpenTrain; others send you to the hiring platform.
- 3
Funded milestones
The client funds each milestone before work starts.
- 4
First payment
OpenTrain pays out to your connected payout method when the client approves the milestone. It doesn't publish a fixed payout schedule.
Sources: OpenTrain: AI training careers, OpenTrain docs: invoicing and payouts
Full OpenTrain AI profile: watch-outs and the public record →Pay history
OpenTrain AI has listed this role at $80-120/hr since Nov 10, 2026 with no change.
Across OpenTrain AI's machine learning roles, the median listed pay was $90/hr on Nov 1, 2026 (25 roles) and is $90/hr as of Nov 11, 2026 (37 roles).
What workers report about OpenTrain AI
Anonymous reports from people who applied or worked there: whether they got work, what they were paid and how fast.
Other machine learning roles
- Data Science Specialistmicro1$150-350/hr
- Data Science Specialistmicro1$150-350/hr
- Applied Scientistmicro1$245-280/hr
- Machine Learning Engineer Talent NetworkMercor$70-250/hr
- Junior Data Scientistmicro1$150-200/hr
- Bioinformatics Machine Learning ExpertOpenTrain$175/hr