micro1 · Software & coding
Software Engineer - Backend
Listed on micro1 as “Software Engineer - Backend”
How this rate compares
This listing
$50–$100 per hour
Typical in Software & coding
$65–$115 per hour
Within the typical range
Typical: the middle of the lowest and highest rates posted by 48 listings in this category on Seoulstart, in US dollars.
What this actually is
You review AI-generated code, rank model outputs against each other, write prompts that test edge cases, and provide expert feedback that gets used to train coding models. Not shipping production software. The platform title (Software Engineer - Backend) reflects the rate band and the expertise required, not the day-to-day work.
How micro1 picks people
- Apply to the role, then do an interview with micro1's AI recruiter. It takes 20 to 40 minutes.
- Some roles add a short skills test after the interview.
- If you pass, micro1 asks you to finish your profile and verify your ID. You then join its certified pool and can apply to its other open roles.
Before you start
- Plan for 40 minutes in a quiet place.
- Have your CV and two or three examples of your own work in this field ready to talk about.
Not every applicant gets an offer. Prepare well for the interview.
How to prepare for the micro1 interview
Source: micro1's help pages. library.micro1.ai
Can you do this on your visa?
F-2 / F-4 / F-5 / F-6: open. E-1 to E-7: needs concurrent-employment permit. D-2 / D-4 students: S-3 permit, 20 hr/week cap. D-10 / D-8: case by case.
Korean tax on USD income
First 5 years in Korea: foreign-source income only taxed if remitted into Korea. After year 5: worldwide income. Full tax guide.
Original posting from micro1
Opportunity Snapshot
Pay: $50-100
Time per task: 5 hours for trainers and 1.5 hours for reviewers
Engagement: Project-based - paid per approved task
Commitment: ~15 hours per week
Location: Fully remote
You’ll need: Hands-on expertise in at least one of Python, Java, Rust, Go, C++, or TypeScript
Your tasks: Build challenging coding problems from real repositories, with reproducible environments and verifiers
Role Title: Software Engineer - Backend
Role Type: Contractor (~15 hrs a week)
Location: Remote
You’ll create Reinforcement Learning Environments that test a model’s ability to solve real software engineering problems: tracking down subtle bugs, building non-trivial features, refactoring, and optimizing performance. Each task means defining the problem, building a reproducible environment, and writing a reference solution.
Scope of Work
• Create realistic, challenging coding tasks for frontier AI models, drawn from repositories you know well.
• Design problems that require real engineering skill - subtle bugs, non-trivial features, meaningful performance work - not lookup or boilerplate.
• Build a reproducible environment for each task.
• Write deterministic verifiers that accept correct solutions across different valid implementations, while rejecting incorrect, incomplete, or hard-coded approaches.
• Provide a reference solution showing how the task can be solved.
• Flag tasks that turn out to be ambiguous or unverifiable rather than submitting them.
Preferred Qualifications
• Significant hands-on expertise in at least one of: Python3, Java, Rust, Go, C++, or TypeScript.
• Deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles.
• Proven ability to debug complex systems, resolve bugs, and deliver effective optimizations.
• Experience with large codebase refactoring and legacy system modernization.
• Track record of delivering high-impact features from conception through delivery.
• Strong documentation and communication skills to articulate technical concepts clearly.
• Interest in AI and its technical challenges - previous AI experience not required.
Compensation Structure
Compensation is output-based; experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required may vary depending on your experience and workflow.
Start Timeline & Availability
We typically fill roles within 48 hours and are looking for experts ready to jump in right away. If selected, we expect you to start your first tasks within 24-48 hours of completing onboarding.
How the selection process works
• Apply and complete the screening questions
• Complete the AI interview for this role - it’s how your expertise gets in front of the client
• Profile review
• Onboarding - our Talent Ops team will get you set up
Quoted from micro1's public listing on 2026-11-12. We don't edit platform copy; honest framing is in the title and the “what this actually is” block above.
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About micro1
Recruits experts and generalists for AI training projects and lists each role with an hourly range on its own job board. You apply per role, then do a role-specific interview with micro1's AI recruiter.
Is micro1 legit? Our review
A real US company that pays experts in USD through Deel twice a month. The hard part is getting from the Zara AI interview to paid work. Covers pay and who can join.
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