Performance Engineer (C++, Python, Rust) at Mercor

Performance Engineer (C++, Python, Rust) | $35–45/hr | Remote (US) | 40 hrs/week

Join a leading AI lab's GenAI team as a Performance Engineer, where you'll play a central role in shaping the infrastructure behind some of the world's most advanced Large Language Models. This is a W-2 contract position through Cincinnatus LLC, embedded within a top-tier AI lab's extended workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps in systems-level optimization, compiler engineering, and runtime performance.
• Design challenging, domain-relevant tasks and write accurate, well-structured solutions to performance engineering problems.
• Evaluate performance engineering tasks and provide clear, written technical feedback.
• Develop guidelines and evaluation frameworks to assess systems design quality across AI workloads.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure consistency and accuracy in AI training data.

Core Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience in performance engineering, systems programming, or low-level optimization.
• Deep hands-on expertise in at least one of: C++, Python, or Rust — familiarity across all three is a strong plus.
• Demonstrable track record of measurable performance improvements (e.g., latency reduction, throughput gains, memory optimization) on production systems.
• Ability to commit reliably to at least 30–40 hours per week during weekdays.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical decisions clearly.

About the Employer

Cincinnatus LLC is an enterprise staffing company partnering with leading technology firms to place highly skilled professionals in high-impact contract roles. Cincinnatus serves as the employer of record, providing W-2 employment, payroll, benefits, and compliance support.

Cincinnatus LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.