Embedded Systems / Kernel Engineer
The middle of its range, $125/hr, is above the $60/hr median of the Coding & Software Evaluation roles open now, whose typical pay runs $35–$130/hr. How that pay moves week by week is in our research on Coding & Software Evaluation work.
Half of all Coding & Software Evaluation roles come down within 23.1 days of being listed, and 47.3% are still up after four weeks. This one was posted today.
Some links on AITraining.jobs are referral links. If you sign up through one, AITraining.jobs may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what a platform pays you.
About the role
1\. Overview
Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge GenAI team and help build foundational AI models from the ground up. We're seeking talented Embedded Systems, Firmware, Kernel and Chip Design Engineers with hands-on expertise in low-level C/C++, operating system internals, firmware or hardware design (RTL) to bring deep systems-level expertise and elevate the quality of our AI training data.
This is a W-2 employment position with Cincinnatus LLC, with the opportunity to be placed at a leading AI Lab as part of their extended workforce.
2\. Key Responsibilities
- Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps and improve AI model performance in embedded systems and kernel engineering, firmware and device drivers, and hardware design and verification topics.
- Design challenging, domain-relevant tasks, and write accurate and well-structured solutions to embedded systems and kernel engineering problems.
- Evaluate embedded systems and kernel engineering tasks and solutions and provide clear, written technical feedback.
- Design and evaluate low-level tasks covering memory management, concurrency, device drivers, RTOS behavior and hardware description languages.
- Develop rubrics to assess correctness, safety and performance of systems-level and hardware design solutions.
- Collaborate with other subject matter experts to ensure consistency and accuracy in training data.
3\. Core Qualifications
- 4+ years of dedicated professional experience in embedded systems, firmware, OS kernel or chip design at a recognized, top-tier organization (semiconductor, OS, devices, automotive or aerospace).
- Strong production C and/or C++ for resource-constrained or performance-critical systems.
- Hands-on experience in at least one of: Linux kernel or driver development, RTOS and firmware, or RTL design and verification (Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, UVM).
- Demonstrable career progression.
- Ability to engage reliably for at least 20 hours/week during weekdays.
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical decisions clearly.
About Cincinnatus LLC
Cincinnatus LLC is an enterprise staffing company that partners with leading technology companies to source and employ highly skilled professionals for contingent and contract-based opportunities. Cincinnatus serves as the employer of record for these engagements, providing W-2 employment, payroll, benefits, and compliance, while placing employees directly within client teams to work on high-impact initiatives.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Cincinnatus is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Where you can work
This role is 100% remote, for applicants located in United States.
From Mercor's job posting, checked 10 Nov 2026.
About Mercor
Premium expert network: physicians, lawyers, engineers, PhDs.
How it pays: Weekly via Stripe (1099 contractors).
Similar open roles
Some links on AITraining.jobs are referral links. If you sign up through one, AITraining.jobs may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what a platform pays you. A role at a platform that pays us a referral fee weighs more in this order.

Generalist for Data Annotation (opens the job details)
micro1 · Data Annotation · Remote· 3d agoDetails
$21–$35/hr
Software Engineering Expert (opens the job details)
AfterQuery · Coding · Remote· 6mo agoDetails
$75/hr
Arabic Language Expert (opens the job details)
SuperAnnotate (SME) · Multilingual · Remote· 3mo agoDetails
up to $15/hr

Malayalam Language Expert (Remote) (opens the job details)
Braintrust · Multilingual · Remote· 1mo agoDetails
$15–$20/hr
An experienced engineer?
One profile for every AI training platform. Companies ask us for people with a specific language, country or credential: add yours once, and when a role fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
Get new Mercor roles by email
We check the Mercor job board every hour and email you its newest roles each week, plus similar paid roles elsewhere. Free, unsubscribe anytime.