Tesla is expanding its Robotaxi ride-hailing service by recruiting factory workers and sales staff to serve as AI operators, according to multiple sources and internal postings at its California facilities. The company is offering production associates and material handlers additional hours and higher pay to take on driving roles, where they will sit in the driver’s seat monitoring Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and take control when needed. These AI operators are essential for Tesla’s current phase of testing and scaling its autonomous ride-hailing network. The role involves operating vehicles with FSD engaged, interacting with passengers, and documenting vehicle behavior and performance during rides. Shifts are available around the clock, and the position pays between $25 and $30 per hour. Candidates must pass a driver’s license check, a drug test, a background screening, and complete an FSD test drive. The initiative aims to increase service availability in the Bay Area, where wait times have reportedly reached up to 40 minutes after the Robotaxi app launched publicly in September. Despite improvements, Business Insider’s Alistair Barr noted wait times still hover around 10 minutes during peak hours, with the app occasionally unable to dispatch rides due to high demand. Tesla has already launched its ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, with safety operators seated in the passenger seat. Elon Musk recently stated at an xAI event that the Austin service will become fully driverless by year-end, calling the technology “pretty much a solved problem” and currently in validation. However, regulatory hurdles remain. In California, Tesla operates its service with a human driver because the state requires formal authorization for autonomous vehicle rides. The company holds a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to provide transportation services with drivers, but it is not authorized to operate autonomous rides for the public. As of now, Tesla has 1,655 vehicles and 798 drivers registered with the CPUC, though this number reflects approved vehicles rather than active fleet size. Tesla has also obtained a permit from the Arizona Department of Transportation allowing commercial operation in Arizona and completed self-certification for service in Nevada. However, it has not yet applied for a formal license from the Nevada Transportation Authority. The company has not yet begun offering paid rides in either state. In Illinois, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Texas, Tesla is actively hiring AI operators to support testing and expansion. The company plans to roll out its service to eight to ten metropolitan areas by the end of the year, according to Musk’s October announcement. Despite progress, Tesla has not formally notified the Austin Transportation Department of its planned driverless rollout, though it typically informs local agencies of major service changes. The city has no legal requirement for Tesla to notify it, but past communication has been standard practice. Tesla continues to test its autonomous capabilities in multiple cities, relying on human operators to bridge the gap between current technology and full autonomy.