AI Tutor, Mechanical Engineering Specialist (contract), Handshake AI

Everyone is welcome at Handshake. We know diverse teams build better products and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture built on a foundation of respect for all individuals. We strongly encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized or underrepresented groups to apply.

Your impact

As an AI Tutor, Mechanical Engineering Specialist, you will contribute to the next generation of AI models by evaluating and refining responses from advanced large language models (LLMs) in the field of mechanical engineering. Your expertise in topics such as thermodynamics, statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and fluid systems will be crucial to ensuring the technical accuracy and quality of AI outputs. This role combines domain knowledge, attention to detail, and a passion for elevating data quality in AI systems.

This is a contract remote position with variable time commitments. The services to be provided by the Contractor under this agreement are supplementary and not integral to the Handshake’s primary business operations. The Contractor’s services are distinct and separate from the core business activities of Handshake.

Your role

• Evaluate and critique AI-generated responses in mechanical engineering, ensuring clarity, correctness, and relevance.
• Provide expert feedback on topics like materials science, fluid mechanics, mechanical design, and manufacturing processes.
• Help curate and annotate datasets used to fine-tune models with mechanical engineering content.
• Identify edge cases, model errors, and technical inaccuracies in engineering outputs.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary AI teams to enhance model understanding and response quality.

Your experience

• PhD or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Alternatively, 3+ years of professional experience as a Mechanical Engineer in academia, industry, or applied R&D settings.
• Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles, design practices, and simulation tools.
• Strong ability to explain complex concepts clearly in writing.
• Comfortable with ambiguous tasks and capable of exercising independent judgment in technical assessments.
• Excellent attention to detail, especially in technical communication and numerical accuracy.

Bonus areas of expertise

• Experience with CAD tools, FEA, CFD, or robotics systems.
• Teaching, tutoring, or curriculum development experience in mechanical engineering.
• Publications or technical writing in engineering disciplines.
• Exposure to generative AI systems or LLMs.
• Experience with RLHF or data annotation for technical domains.

Additional Requirements

• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to quickly adapt to new skills and evolving requirements.
• Personal device must support Windows 10 or macOS Big Sur 11.0 or later.
• Reliable access to a smartphone.

Location & Work Expectations

• Fully remote position.
• No visa sponsorship available.
• Not hiring in Wyoming or Illinois at this time.

Compensation range

• $40/hr – $70/hr

For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

About us

Handshake is building the future of human data for AI.

We partner directly with top AI labs to power large language model (LLM) training and evaluation with high-quality, expert-generated data. As AI models become more sophisticated, the demand for specialized human input continues to grow—and Handshake is uniquely positioned to meet it. We power career platforms at 92% of the top U.S. universities, giving us direct access to verified expert talent across a wide range of domains.

Our AI team is rapidly building a new generation of human data products—from expert annotation platforms to AI interviewers and seamless payout infrastructure—all designed to accelerate research and improve model performance.

We’ve assembled a world-class team from YC, Notion, Scale, Coinbase, Palantir, and more, and we’re working directly with many of the world’s leading AI research labs. This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team shaping the future of AI through better data, better tools, and better systems—for experts, by experts.

Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please let your recruiter know during initial communications.