01 · The role
What you would do
- Go through each hardware task in full: its specification, starting files, reference solution and automated tests
- Confirm the reference solution passes and that everything the tests check follows from the specification
- Spot weak tasks, such as vague specs, tests that accept wrong designs or reject right ones, and leaked answers
- Judge whether a task would really challenge today's strongest AI models
- Write specific feedback with proposed fixes, and help develop ideas for new tasks
02 · Requirements
What they ask for
- Five or more years of industry experience in RTL design or verification (semiconductor, FPGA, EDA or similar)
- Strong Verilog or SystemVerilog, with hands-on simulation and testbench work
- Comfort reading and reasoning about test code written in Python
- A skeptical eye and the ability to explain in writing why a task is flawed or too easy
Helpful, not required
- Experience with open-source EDA tools such as Icarus Verilog, Verilator, Yosys or cocotb
- Formal verification experience
- Past work reviewing benchmarks for AI models
- RTL design
- Verilog
- SystemVerilog
- Verification
- AI evaluation
03 · Eligibility
Who can apply
Remote. The listing does not name eligible countries, so Mercor's own rules decide: it can only onboard people in countries its payments support, which in October 2026 included Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Egypt but not Kenya.
Some African countriesOpen in NigeriaOpen in GhanaOpen in South AfricaOpen in Egypt
- NigeriaCan apply
- KenyaCannot apply
- GhanaCan apply
- South AfricaCan apply
- EgyptCan apply
That is as far as the listing and Mercor's country rules show: the listing has the last word, and rules change. Mercor in Africa
Apply from where you live, as yourself. Using a VPN or someone else's identity to get around a country rule breaks these platforms' terms, and it is the quickest way to lose an account and any unpaid earnings.
04 · Applying
How to get in
You apply through Mercor's own process. The steps from sign-up to first paid task are on its profile.
- How AI interviews work at micro1 and Mercor: what the AI interview checks, and how to prepare.
- Getting paid from Africa: PayPal, Payoneer, Airtm, Wise and more. It covers which of Mercor's payout routes work where you live, and what they cost.
05 · Source
About this listing
We last confirmed this opening on Nov 13, 2026, and it was posted on Nov 12, 2026. Rates and hours come from the listing unless the note beside the rate says otherwise. Where the listing names no countries, the Africa status is our reading of it and of what is known of Mercor's country rules, set out on its profile, and never marks a role more open than they show. The listing itself has the final word.
The listing on work.mercor.com(opens in a new tab)