Mechanical Engineer at Mercor

Mechanical Engineer | $60–90/hr | Remote (US Only)

Join a leading AI lab's GenAI team and play a central role in shaping how frontier AI models reason about real-world mechanical engineering. This is a structured, W-2 full-time engagement (via Cincinnatus LLC) embedded within a top AI research team — not a freelance gig. Initial term is 2–3 months with strong potential for extension.

What You'll Do

• Data QA & Review: Evaluate the quality of mechanical engineering tasks and AI model outputs — catching flawed assumptions, unit errors, tolerance issues, unsafe design choices, and answers that sound right but wouldn't survive a real design review.
• Instruction Specs & Reference Solutions: Write clear problem specs, produce worked reference solutions, and define new tasks that reflect how engineering is actually practiced in industry.
• Benchmarks & Evaluations: Design challenging evaluation sets spanning mechanical design, thermal/fluid systems, structural analysis, manufacturing, and controls — and help build domain-specific tools alongside research teams.
• Calibration: Collaborate with researchers and cross-domain specialists to maintain consistent standards, translating tacit engineering judgment into explicit, teachable criteria.

What We're Looking For

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands-on professional mechanical engineering experience — product design, thermal/fluid systems, HVAC, structural analysis, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy, robotics, or medical devices.
• Domain Depth: Real ownership of engineering work — designing components, running FEA/CFD, releasing drawings, or taking products through design reviews, testing, and production.
• Tools & Standards: Proficiency with tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo, AutoCAD, ANSYS, Abaqus, or MATLAB; familiarity with ASME, ASTM, ISO, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Seniority: Clear progression toward senior or lead engineering responsibility. PE license is a plus, not required.
• AI Fluency: Active use of large language models in professional work, with the judgment to distinguish well-reasoned answers from plausible-sounding errors.
• Availability: Reliable commitment of 40 hours/week for the initial engagement period.
• Communication: Excellent written communication skills with the ability to deliver precise, well-structured technical feedback.

Employment Details

This role is a W-2 position with Cincinnatus LLC, an enterprise staffing company placing skilled professionals within leading technology clients. Cincinnatus handles employment, payroll, benefits, and compliance. You will be provisioned with client-issued accounts and equipment and work directly within the client's internal tools and research workflows.

Cincinnatus LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.