Job Overview
Location
USA
Job Type
Contract
Category
Design
Date Posted
February 26, 2026
Full Job Description
đź“‹ Description
- • Handshake Technologies, Inc. is seeking talented and experienced Ardour users to contribute to cutting-edge AI research through a flexible, hourly contract engagement. This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a passion for audio and a deep understanding of professional production workflows to directly influence the development of artificial intelligence in the audio domain. You will leverage your practical experience in recording, editing, and mixing audio to critically evaluate AI-generated content, providing invaluable feedback that will train AI models to better comprehend and execute complex audio tasks and professional production methodologies.
- • This is not a conventional employment role but rather an ongoing, project-based opportunity designed to complement your existing professional activities. Whether you are a seasoned audio engineer, a music producer, a sound designer, or an individual with extensive freelance audio project experience, this role offers the flexibility to engage on your own terms.
- • As an AI Trainer, your primary responsibility will be to utilize your hands-on expertise with Ardour, a powerful open-source digital audio workstation, to assess the output of AI systems. This involves creating insightful tool-related questions that probe the capabilities of the AI and meticulously reviewing AI-generated responses. Your feedback will focus on the accuracy, relevance, and practical applicability of these responses within the context of real-world audio engineering and music production scenarios. You will be instrumental in identifying nuances, potential errors, and areas for improvement that human experts can readily discern but AI may struggle with.
- • The work will involve a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: evaluating the quality of AI-generated audio edits, assessing the appropriateness of AI-suggested mixing parameters, providing feedback on AI-assisted mastering processes, and verifying the accuracy of AI-generated annotations or labels for audio assets. You will be expected to adhere to specific production briefs and session guidelines, ensuring consistency and quality in your evaluations.
- • This role is ideal for individuals who thrive on detailed analysis and possess a keen ear for sonic detail. Your contributions will directly impact the performance and reliability of AI tools designed for audio professionals. You will be part of a community of experts helping to shape the future of audio technology by bridging the gap between human expertise and machine learning.
- • The project-based nature of this opportunity means that work is available periodically, depending on the evolving needs of Handshake's AI research initiatives. You can expect to be assigned to projects that align with your specific skill set and experience with Ardour and audio production. This allows for a dynamic work experience where you can engage with different aspects of AI training as projects become available.
- • Handshake Technologies, Inc. values the expertise of audio professionals and offers a platform for you to monetize your skills and knowledge in a meaningful way. By participating, you contribute to advancements in AI while maintaining the flexibility to manage your workload and schedule. This is an excellent way to stay engaged with the latest technological developments in the audio industry and apply your craft in a novel context.
- • Your role as an AI Trainer is crucial. You are the human element that ensures AI systems develop a sophisticated understanding of audio. This involves not just identifying errors but also articulating *why* something is an error or how it could be improved, using the language and concepts familiar to audio professionals. This deep level of qualitative feedback is what differentiates AI training from simple data labeling.
- • The asynchronous and flexible nature of the work means you can contribute from anywhere in the USA, provided you have a reliable internet connection and a functional desktop or laptop computer. There is no minimum hour requirement, making it perfectly suited for those seeking supplemental income or a way to utilize their professional skills during downtime. Many contributors find they can comfortably dedicate between 5 to 20 hours per week when actively engaged in a project.
- • The Handshake AI program operates year-round, ensuring continuous opportunities for engagement. As new projects emerge, you will be considered for those that match your profile, offering a pathway for ongoing involvement and skill development within the AI training space. This is a long-term engagement model designed to foster a consistent relationship with skilled audio professionals.
- • No prior AI or specialized technical background is necessary. Your existing knowledge and practical experience with Ardour and audio production are the primary qualifications. Handshake provides the framework and the AI tools; you provide the expert human judgment and feedback.
🎯 Requirements
- • Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience using Ardour for audio recording, editing, or mixing, gained through professional work, freelance projects, or significant personal projects.
- • Solid understanding of core audio engineering concepts, including signal flow, acoustics, gain staging, EQ, compression, and common mixing and mastering techniques.
- • Excellent written communication skills with a high degree of attention to detail, enabling clear and concise articulation of feedback and the ability to follow complex guidelines accurately.
- • Proven ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and adhere to project-specific instructions and quality standards without direct supervision.
- • Experience with audio annotation, labeling, or quality assurance processes is a plus.
- • Familiarity with other Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) or audio production software is beneficial but not strictly required.
🏖️ Benefits
- • Flexible, project-based contract work allowing for a self-managed schedule.
- • Fully remote work opportunity, accessible from anywhere within the USA.
- • Opportunity to contribute to the advancement of AI in the audio industry.
- • Hourly compensation for completed tasks and feedback provided.
- • Potential for ongoing engagement as new projects become available throughout the year.
- • A unique way to leverage and monetize existing audio engineering skills in a novel technological field.
Skills & Technologies
Remote
About Handshake Technologies, Inc.
Handshake Technologies provides a cloud-based career-services platform that connects university students, recent graduates, and employers. The software enables institutions to manage job postings, career fairs, on-campus interviews, and employer relations while giving students tools to discover internships and entry-level roles and giving employers access to early-career talent across a network of partner colleges and universities.
