Nuclear Security Engineer at Mercor

Nuclear Security Engineer | $65–75/hr | Worldwide Remote | Contract (Task-Based)

Mercor is assembling a panel of nuclear materials and safeguards experts to red-team frontier AI models. In this role, you will help determine whether AI systems can reliably distinguish between legitimate technical inquiries and genuinely dangerous requests — a critical challenge in one of the most sensitive dual-use domains in existence.

What You'll Do

• Write challenging single-turn prompts across three classification levels: benign, dual-use, and adversarial
• Evaluate AI-generated responses against defined policy standards and judge whether each was handled appropriately
• Author reference answers — articulating what a correct response looks like and providing the technical reasoning behind it

Why This Role Is Unique

Nuclear security sits closer to the dual-use line than almost any other domain. The same material-balance calculation used by an inspector can be repurposed to conceal discrepancies; the same protection assessment that hardens a facility also maps its vulnerabilities. A model that refuses a routine material-accounting question is failing just as badly as one that answers something it shouldn't. Drawing that line reliably requires practitioners — not generalists.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) programme design, operation, or assessment at a national laboratory or licensee
• Physical protection system engineering — sensors, barriers, delay, response force, and performance testing
• Vulnerability assessment and adversary path analysis for nuclear facilities
• Insider threat and human reliability programme work
• Nuclear security policy, training, or international assistance programmes

Red-teaming experience is a strong plus across any of these backgrounds.

Beyond Technical Expertise

This is writing-intensive work. Every judgment you make requires a written rationale that a non-specialist can follow. Prior technical writing, published research, or expert witness experience is highly valued — please include a writing sample or link in your application.

You will be reading and writing about misuse scenarios for sustained periods. Mercor briefs all experts on this in advance, and you may pause or step away at any time without penalty.

Important Note on Classified Information

This work must not draw on classified, export-controlled, or NDA-protected information. If you hold such obligations, you may still be a strong candidate — simply note it in your application and the scope will be adjusted accordingly.