PHP Backend AI Training Engineer

About OpenTrain AI

OpenTrain AI builds careers in AI training and data labeling. We help people find, apply, and grow work that teaches AI systems — everything from annotation to evaluating model outputs — and we hire contributors directly for these projects.

We focus on flexible, remote opportunities that let you build a lasting portfolio of AI training work. A stronger OpenTrain profile makes it easier to show expertise and find projects that match your skills.

About AI training and why it matters

AI training (data labeling / annotation / human feedback) is the human side of building modern models: people create examples, evaluate outputs, and provide reasoning that helps models learn to produce safe, correct, and useful results. This work is remote-friendly, often part-time, and a direct way to shape how AI behaves.

This role focuses on evaluating and improving code- and architecture-related responses from generative models: your judgments and reference answers will be used to teach models to produce better backend designs and secure, performant PHP code.

The role — what you'll do

As a PHP Backend AI Training Engineer you will review AI-generated PHP code, architecture proposals, and technical explanations; author high-quality reference implementations; and rate or compare model responses using structured rubrics.

• Review AI-generated PHP code and backend designs for correctness, security, performance, clarity, and prompt adherence.
• Write reference implementations and model answers that demonstrate PHP backend best practices.
• Provide detailed, structured feedback comparing multiple AI responses and documenting reasoning.
• Check for issues in application architecture, API design, data modeling, caching, and database usage.

Key details — schedule, pay, engagement

This is a contractor, part-time role requiring 20+ hours per week. Compensation is USD 60 per hour.

Work is remote but limited to applicants in the following countries: BD, BT, BR, KH, DE, IN, ID, MY, NP, PK, SG, LK, TH, PH, US, TL, VN. English proficiency is required (technical written English).

• Employment type: Contractor, Part-time.
• Time requirement: 20+ hours/week.
• Pay: $60 USD per hour.
• Languages: English required.

Required skills and experience

You must have strong, hands-on PHP backend experience and be comfortable writing clear technical explanations and evaluations in English.

• Expert-level PHP backend development in production systems (PHP 7.4 / 8.x), OOP, strict typing, namespaces, Composer.
• Experience with at least one major PHP framework such as Laravel or Symfony.
• Solid knowledge of REST, authentication/authorization, caching, queues, database optimization, and secure coding.
• Comfortable with version control, CI/CD workflows, and automated testing.

Helpful background (nice-to-have)

These additional experiences will make you more effective in this role but are not strictly required if you meet the core requirements.

• Prior experience evaluating AI-generated technical content or participating in AI data training / annotation.
• Experience designing schemas, indexing, query optimization, and transactional use of MySQL or PostgreSQL.
• Familiarity with OWASP Top 10, PHPUnit and integration tests, and observability / monitoring practices.

How the work is structured

Tasks typically include reading prompts, executing or mentally validating code examples, producing reference implementations, and filling structured evaluation forms or rubrics that rate correctness, security, performance, and clarity.

You will regularly produce written reasoning that explains why a response is correct or flawed and propose safer, more efficient alternatives when appropriate.

Who should apply and next steps

Experienced PHP backend engineers who enjoy explaining trade-offs, writing clear examples, and improving model outputs should apply. This is a strong fit if you want flexible, remote work that directly influences how AI handles backend engineering tasks.

To apply, prepare examples of past backend work and be ready to demonstrate technical English writing and code review ability during onboarding tests.