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Hiring now · posted today Science Contract · Remote

Principal / Lead Systems Engineer

$150–$300/hr

Published pay. The final rate depends on your test, experience and country.

Remote · Worldwide 30 openings Language: English Posted 4 Nov 2026

About this role

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Role Title: Principal / Lead Systems Engineer

Role Type: Contractor

Location: Remote - US-based preferred; candidates with strong relevant experience worldwide considered.

our partner is looking for experienced Principal or Lead Systems Engineers to support an AI training project focused on complex, real-world engineering workflows. In this role, you will draw on your experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects to design realistic tasks, coordinate contributions from domain experts, and define clear technical objectives and evaluation criteria. Your expertise will help improve how AI systems plan, execute, and validate engineering work.

Scope of Work

  • Design realistic engineering projects involving multiple disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, hardware, software, and manufacturing.
  • Translate project objectives into clear requirements, technical constraints, and measurable acceptance criteria.
  • Break complex projects into connected tasks with defined inputs, deliverables, dependencies, and expert responsibilities.

Requirements

  • Substantial professional experience as a Principal Systems Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or in a comparable technical leadership role.
  • Proven experience leading complex engineering projects involving multiple technical disciplines.
  • Strong expertise in requirements engineering, interface management, system integration, and verification and validation.
  • English proficiency at B2 level or higher

Preferred Qualifications

  • A relevant master's degree or PhD in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience with model-based systems engineering, SysML, or requirements management tools.
  • Experience leading projects from initial requirements through integration, testing, and delivery.
  • Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, industrial systems, medical devices, or other complex engineering environments.

This is a 100% remote contract role, open to applicants worldwide in the countries the employer accepts.

Project ManagementCross-disciplinary technical leadershipSystem integrationverification & validation

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What to know before you apply

Pay
At the published rate, 10 hours a week would be about $1,500–$3,000 and 20 hours about $3,000–$6,000 before tax. Hours depend on the project, so treat this as a ceiling, not a promise.
Openings
30 openings means this is a high-volume project. You are not competing for one seat: if you pass the test, there is room for you.
Location
Open worldwide in the countries the employer accepts. Payments usually go out through services like PayPal or Wise, so check one of them works in your country.
Credentials
The listing asks for a PhD. Put it in the first line of your profile: reviewers screen for it before anything else.
Timing
This listing is new today. Projects can close once they have enough people, so it is worth applying while it is open.
Test tips for engineers
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