API Design Engineer

About the Role

Join an innovative project that pushes the boundaries of API technology. As an API Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, documenting, and validating APIs to ensure robust integration and reliable functionality. Your ability to create clear API specifications and thorough documentation will be crucial for seamless collaboration between product and engineering teams. There is a 15-minute assessment prior to selection. We anticipate selection to occur within two days of completing the assessment. This role will tentatively begin the week of April 29th, 2025.

Compensation and Legal Details

We are no longer paying this project per hour due to many quality issues we saw that made us rethink our current structure.

1. For your first two tasks (consider these "trials") you will receive $1200 each if they are of reasonable quality.

2. If your first two tasks are strong, we will move you to the next “phase” where each task completed will receive $1800.

3. The caveat is that every task must be "usable".Meets complexity requirementsHigh quality (Our review team will determine this based on a transparent rubric)Approved by our infrastructure (there will be specific transparent rules)

4. If a task is not usable, you'll have to adjust it until it meets the requirements - this is the only way to be compensated for your work.

5. For people that are stronger than average in terms of engagement and quality, we may issue even further bonuses above this task $ amount.

Why You’re a Great Fit

You’re an ideal candidate if you:

• Hold a Computer Science degree from a top university

• Possess a strong understanding of RESTful API design principles and best practices.

• Have experience using API documentation tools such as Swagger, Postman, or Redoc.

• Are proficient in writing API test cases and working with testing tools like Postman, Jest, or Cypress.

• Have familiarity with API authentication methods (OAuth, JWT, API keys).

• Possess basic coding skills in Python, JavaScript, or another scripting language.

• Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail.

• Excel in written and verbal communication, translating complex technical concepts into clear documentation.

Role Highlights

• Write comprehensive Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) for API features and enhancements.

• Define clear API endpoints, request/response structures, authentication methods, and error handling strategies.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure API design aligns with product goals and user needs.

• Create and maintain clear and concise API documentation, including endpoint descriptions, example requests/responses, authentication details, and usage guidelines.

• Develop and execute test cases to validate API functionality, performance, and security.

• Work collaboratively with QA teams on robust API testing, documenting any issues, inconsistencies, or edge cases.

• Optimize APIs for performance, scalability, and security.

• Flexible workload: 10–20 hours per week, with potential to increase to 40 hours.

• Minimum duration: 1–2 months, with potential for extension.

Apply today and leverage your expertise to advance cutting-edge API solutions!

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Contract and Payment Terms

• You will be engaged as an independent contractor.
• This is a fully remote role that can be completed on your own schedule.
• Projects can be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on needs and performance.
• Your work at Mercor will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.
• Payments are weekly on Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.
• Please note: We are unable to support H1-B or STEM OPT candidates at this time.

About Mercor

Mercor partners with leading AI labs and enterprises to train frontier models using human expertise. You will work on projects that focus on training and enhancing AI systems. You will be paid competitively, collaborate with leading researchers, and help shape the next generation of AI systems in your area of expertise.