Computational Structural & Mechanical Engineering Expert | $70-$85/hr Remote
Overview
You'll design hard computational problems that evaluate how advanced AI systems handle real-world scientific and engineering workflows. This is a remote, hourly contract position where you'll create original, graduate-level challenges in structural mechanics, CFD, and related fields. You'll work with open-source tools such as FEniCSx, OpenFOAM, and scikit-fem, then test and refine each problem using cutting-edge AI models. What sets this apart is the focus on problem design rather than routine labeling — you'll think like a puzzle maker to ensure the AI genuinely reasons through the solution.
What You'll Do6
- 1Design original, graduate-level computational problems that force AI models to apply scientific software like FEniCSx or OpenFOAM in realistic workflows.
- 2Build problems with fully specified setups where the AI must compute exact results through complex, multi-step procedures.
- 3Develop open-ended challenges where the AI must strategize which experiments or queries to run in order to reveal non-obvious information.
- 4Test each problem against state-of-the-art AI systems and iteratively adjust difficulty until it matches the target.
- 5Write supporting code in Python for problem setups, oracle functions, and solution validators.
- 6Work independently in a Linux and terminal environment, using remote compute sandboxes.
Requirements5
- 1Graduate-level expertise (MS or PhD) in mechanical engineering, structural engineering, or a closely related field, with research-level knowledge of computational methods.
- 2Hands-on experience with at least one open-source simulation tool such as FEniCSx, OpenFOAM, deal.II, MOOSE, or similar, demonstrated through publications, open-source work, or professional projects.
- 3Strong Python programming skills, including the ability to write problem generators, validation scripts, and oracle functions.
- 4Comfort working independently in a Linux command-line environment, including using remote compute sandboxes and debugging scientific code.
- 5Ability to commit at least 15–20 hours per week to this hourly contract role.
Who Should Apply
You're a computational engineering expert who enjoys both deep technical work and creative problem design. You have a PhD or MS and have actually used tools like FEniCSx or OpenFOAM to solve real research problems — you know their quirks and limitations. You think like a puzzle designer, crafting problems where the challenge lies in clever reasoning rather than brute computation. You're comfortable writing Python code, working on the command line, and iterating on your designs based on AI testing feedback.
Salary Insight
$70.00 – $85.00 per hour, paid on an hourly basis for remote work.
Location
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, highlight a specific project where you used one of the listed tools (e.g., FEniCSx or OpenFOAM) to solve a non-trivial problem. Include links to your code or publications, and explain what made the problem challenging and how you approached it.
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