Data Engineer - AI Trainer

AfterQuery Experts is seeking a remote, project-based Data Engineer - AI Trainer to support design, implementation, and quality-focused engineering work across varied stacks. This contract role is expected to run for 2–3 weeks, with an anticipated commitment of 10–20 hours per week.

Role Overview

You will contribute to a research-focused environment at AfterQuery, a lab investigating the boundaries of artificial intelligence through novel datasets and experimentation. The work includes building and improving code, diagnosing issues, reviewing peers’ changes, and producing clear documentation that can be replicated by others.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and deliver clean, well-tested code across multiple projects and technology stacks
• Debug, refactor, and optimize existing codebases to improve performance, maintainability, and scalability
• Conduct and participate in code reviews, giving and incorporating constructive technical feedback
• Collaborate asynchronously on technical specifications, architecture decisions, and implementation plans
• Document code, APIs, and technical approaches clearly and in a reproducible way

Required Qualifications

• 1–3 years of professional software engineering experience in a full-time role or equivalent
• Strong proficiency in at least one modern programming language and its associated ecosystem
• Proven ability to independently scope, implement, and deliver software features or fixes
• Solid understanding of software engineering fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, and system design
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)

Technologies

• Git
• GitHub Actions
• AWS
• GCP
• Azure

Contract Details and Location

• Location: Missoula, MT (remote)
• Job type: Contract
• Schedule expectation: 10–20 hours per week over 2–3 weeks
• Compensation: USD 60–80 per hour

Benefits

• Exceptional pay
• Exposure to real-world engineering problems
• Strong addition to your professional portfolio
• Flexible time commitment, with work tailored to your schedule
• Startup exposure through collaboration with an early-stage Y Combinator-backed company
• Portfolio building through complex, real-world software engineering work across diverse codebases
• Professional growth via varied, challenging development tasks across multiple domains and technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience contributing across multiple layers of the stack, such as frontend, backend, APIs, or infrastructure
• Familiarity with version control and CI/CD workflows (for example, Git and GitHub Actions)
• Exposure to cloud platforms and deployment environments, such as AWS, GCP, or Azure
• Experience contributing to open source or building personal software projects independently

About AfterQuery

AfterQuery is a research lab investigating the boundaries of artificial intelligence through novel datasets and experimentation. The organization is backed by top investors, including Y Combinator and Box Group, and supports leading AI labs.