Database Administrators

Mercor is collaborating with a leading AI organization to identify experienced Database Administrators for a high-priority training and evaluation project. Freelancers will be tasked with performing a wide range of real-world database operations to support AI model development focused on SQL, systems administration, and performance optimization. This short-term contract is ideal for experts ready to bring practical, production-grade insights to frontier AI training efforts.

• 2\. Key Responsibilities
• Design and optimize complex SQL queries using EXPLAIN plans and indexing strategies - Implement schema changes with CREATE / ALTER statements and rollback planning - Configure and validate automated backup and restoration procedures - Manage user roles and permissions following defined security policies - Export / import data between systems with validation checks and encoding integrity - Execute data quality checks and report violations with remediation scripts - Apply statistics updates, manage transaction logs, and test failover recovery - Perform compliance data extractions, patching, and system audits for enterprise use cases - Document processes and performance findings in clear, reproducible formats
• 3\. Ideal Qualifications
• 5+ years of experience as a Database Administrator working in production environments - Expert-level SQL skills and proficiency with PostgreSQL, MySQL, and / or SQL Server - Strong background in performance tuning, security, data integrity, and schema design - Familiarity with compliance standards (e.g., SOX), data export formats, and backup tooling - Comfortable handling large datasets, interpreting execution plans, and managing database infrastructure end-to-end - Ability to produce production-quality scripts and documentation for technical audiences
• 4\. More About the Opportunity
• Remote and asynchronous — work on your own schedule -
• Expected commitment : minimum 30 hours / week
• Project duration : ~6 weeks
• 5\. Compensation & Contract Terms
• $90–100 / hour for U.S.-based freelancers (localized rates may vary) - Paid weekly via Stripe Connect - You’ll be classified as an independent contractor
• 6\. Application Process
• Submit your resume followed by domain expertise interview and short form
• 7\. About Mercor
• Mercor is a talent marketplace that connects top experts with leading AI labs and research organizations. - Our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Adam D’Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey. - Thousands of professionals across domains like law, creatives, engineering, and research have joined Mercor to work on frontier projects shaping the next era of AI.