About this role
Role Overview
Build and improve robust backend APIs in Rust while helping evaluate AI-powered developer tools in a remote, high-impact contract role. You will collaborate with an engineering and research team to test how AI models perform in real coding workflows and turn your findings into practical product improvements.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize scalable REST and GraphQL API endpoints.
- Apply strong data validation, error-handling, and API security practices across backend services.
- Plan and execute database migrations, performance optimizations, and schema changes.
- Test new AI-powered models in Cursor and provide actionable feedback through incident reports, bug traces, and screenshots.
- Participate in intensive four-day testing bursts that examine AI models in real development workflows.
- Discuss findings and propose improvements with the research team through a dedicated Slack channel.
- Complete detailed post-testing surveys on model performance and developer experience.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of professional backend development experience, including strong Rust expertise.
- Proficiency building and maintaining RESTful and GraphQL APIs.
- Advanced knowledge of backend data validation, error handling, and API security.
- Hands-on experience with database migrations, schema design, and performance tuning.
- Extensive experience using AI coding tools. Familiarity with Cursor is highly desirable.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear incident and bug reporting.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, confidential, collaborative remote environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Visible open-source contributions, such as GitHub contributions or stars.
- Experience designing or evaluating experimental developer tools and workflows.
- Strong interest in advances in AI-assisted software development.
Work Terms
- Remote contract engagement.
Compensation
- $30 to $90 per hour.