CAD/PCB/3D Design Engineer – AI Evaluation

Mercor

. Create realistic, difficult engineering design tasks for evaluating frontier AI models .

Posted 10/13/2026contractRemote • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $60 - $100 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Mechanical CAD, Electronics/PCB, or 3D/Spatial-Temporal design, with a strong focus on creating and evaluating engineering design tasks for frontier AI models. Proficient in Python scripting and familiar with version control using Git, ensuring high-quality and realistic design outputs.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Mechanical CAD DesignPython ScriptingGit Version ControlElectronics/PCB Design3D/Spatial-Temporal Design

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Mechanical CADSolidWorksAutoCADFreeCADKiCadBlenderScene ConstructionAnimationFEA SimulationCFD Simulation

Soft Skills

Attention to DetailIndependent WorkCritical Judgment

Tools & Technologies

Claude CodeCommand LineBuild123dCadQueryNX OpenBlender's Python API

Industry Keywords

Engineering DesignAI Model EvaluationSchematic CaptureLayoutDRC/ERCTolerancingProduction 3D AssetsFabricated BoardsManufactured PartsResearch Publication

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Create realistic, difficult engineering design tasks for evaluating frontier AI models
Develop self-contained tasks including prompts, input files, and automated graders
Build and iterate tasks with Claude Code and version them in Git
Run tasks against frontier models and review model transcripts
Identify and close leaks and shortcuts so tasks are difficult for the right reasons
Ensure tasks are fair, realistic, and prioritize realism over difficulty
Pass automated QA and peer review
Document the rationale for synthetic data created
Attend onboarding and calibration sessions
Work across Mechanical CAD, Electronics/PCB, or 3D/Spatial-Temporal design tracks

Requirements

What you’ll need

3+ years of hands-on design experience in at least one track (industry, research lab, or serious freelance work)
Mechanical CAD track: hands-on professional experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, FreeCAD, or a comparable CAD tool
Experience delivering fabricated boards, manufactured parts, production 3D assets, or published research
Portfolio link required to apply
Python experience as part of engineering work
Comfortable with the command line and Git
Ability to judge whether a design is actually correct, not just whether it looks right
Mechanical CAD: parts, assemblies, mechanisms, and tolerancing experience
Electronics/PCB: schematic capture, layout, DRC/ERC, footprints, and enclosure fit using KiCad
3D/Spatial-Temporal: scene construction, animation, rigging, physics, and camera work in headless Blender driven by Python
Ability to work minimum 20 hours per week and be active at least 5 days per week
Must be able to work as an independent contractor
H1-B and STEM OPT candidates are not supported
Siemens NX and/or CATIA experience valued
Experience scripting design tools such as build123d/CadQuery, FreeCAD Python, NX Open, KiCad scripting, or Blender's Python API (bpy) valued
FEA, CFD, circuit, or EM simulation experience valued
Degree (BS/MS/PhD) in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Robotics, Computer Graphics, or a related field is a bonus qualification
Prior AI training, benchmark, or evaluation work, or heavy daily use of AI coding agents is a bonus qualification

Benefits

Comp & perks

Fully remote role
Flexible schedule / work on your own schedule
Weekly payments via Stripe or Wise
Competitive pay
Minimum 20 hours per week
Opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers
Opportunity to help shape next-generation AI systems
Referral rewards of up to $400 per successful referral, subject to limits
Reasonable accommodations upon request