Remote
Contract
India
Skills
Python (Programming Language)
Docker Swarm
About the Role
Mercor is hiring software engineers to assist a leading AI research lab with environment setup and dependency management for open-source Python projects. Your work will focus on configuring development environments, resolving dependency issues, and ensuring tests pass across various codebases. This is a remote, flexible role.
Note: You must have Docker installed on your device prior to taking the interview. Candidates who pass the interview and join the project will receive a $150 bonus, in addition to hourly compensation for the project.
Job requirements
Have expertise in both Python and Docker
Are deeply familiar with setting up development environments (installing dependencies, upgrading/downgrading to the right version of Python)
Have high attention to detail
Have exceptional written and verbal communication skills
A strong candidate might have some of the following traits:
1. Python Build/Tooling Familiarity
• Comfortable with getting Python codebases set up, including using virtual environments
• Has used tools like pip, venv, and pyenv
• Understands Python packaging: editable installs, extras (e.g. .[dev]), version constraints
2. DevOps Awareness (even at a lightweight level)
• Understands Python versioning and how to manage multiple versions (via pyenv, conda, etc.)
• Knows how to mirror historical environments (aligning with commits, timestamps, etc.)
• May have experience containerizing apps but understands how to recreate that behavior locally
3. Strong Debugging / Test-Focused Thinking
• Skilled at reading test error output and knowing when it’s a code issue vs. an env issue
• Can trace dependency issues, like version conflicts, incompatible changes, or deprecated APIs
4. Comfortable with Open Source Ecosystems
• Has explored or contributed to open source Python projects
• Understands that OSS projects evolve over time — and that older commits may need older tools
• Can read and interpret metadata and documentation from GitHub, PyPI, ReadTheDocs, etc.
More details about the role
This project is focused on environment set up in Python. Given open-source GitHub repos, you will be asked to get the codebases up and running locally, with passing test cases.
The project has a 2 week trial period up front to see if it’s a good mutual fit, and will extend beyond that based on performance.
You will be expected to commit between 20-40 hours per week. The hours are fully flexible and the opportunity is remote.
The application process is very simple: upload your resume, immediately take a 45-minute long interview (no wait), and then wait to hear back from us!
Note: You must have Docker installed on your device prior to taking the interview. Candidates who pass the interview and join the project will receive a $150 bonus, in addition to hourly compensation for the project.
Job requirements
Have expertise in both Python and Docker
Are deeply familiar with setting up development environments (installing dependencies, upgrading/downgrading to the right version of Python)
Have high attention to detail
Have exceptional written and verbal communication skills
A strong candidate might have some of the following traits:
1. Python Build/Tooling Familiarity
• Comfortable with getting Python codebases set up, including using virtual environments
• Has used tools like pip, venv, and pyenv
• Understands Python packaging: editable installs, extras (e.g. .[dev]), version constraints
2. DevOps Awareness (even at a lightweight level)
• Understands Python versioning and how to manage multiple versions (via pyenv, conda, etc.)
• Knows how to mirror historical environments (aligning with commits, timestamps, etc.)
• May have experience containerizing apps but understands how to recreate that behavior locally
3. Strong Debugging / Test-Focused Thinking
• Skilled at reading test error output and knowing when it’s a code issue vs. an env issue
• Can trace dependency issues, like version conflicts, incompatible changes, or deprecated APIs
4. Comfortable with Open Source Ecosystems
• Has explored or contributed to open source Python projects
• Understands that OSS projects evolve over time — and that older commits may need older tools
• Can read and interpret metadata and documentation from GitHub, PyPI, ReadTheDocs, etc.
More details about the role
This project is focused on environment set up in Python. Given open-source GitHub repos, you will be asked to get the codebases up and running locally, with passing test cases.
The project has a 2 week trial period up front to see if it’s a good mutual fit, and will extend beyond that based on performance.
You will be expected to commit between 20-40 hours per week. The hours are fully flexible and the opportunity is remote.
The application process is very simple: upload your resume, immediately take a 45-minute long interview (no wait), and then wait to hear back from us!