Tesla is ramping up efforts to officially launch in India. The company has posted new job openings for Autopilot Vehicle Operators in New Delhi and Mumbai—marking the first local hiring explicitly tied to Tesla’s autonomous driving and data collection operations.
Data Collection Roles in Major Indian Cities
Tesla is seeking full-time operators in both New Delhi and Mumbai to support its Autopilot program. These roles involve driving engineering vehicles for extended periods to gather “dynamic audio and camera data” for testing and training purposes. The data will be used to train Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
According to the job descriptions, first shared by Tesla Club India on X, the successful candidates will also be responsible for performing minor equipment troubleshooting, writing shift reports, ensuring vehicle safety, and collaborating with Tesla’s development teams. Interestingly, the roles also include a 10% pay premium for afternoon and night shifts.
⚡Tesla is now hiring Vehicle Operators for Autopilot Testing in India
— Tesla Club India® (@TeslaClubIN) May 2, 2025
– In Delhi & Mumbai
For Data Collection & to test @Tesla‘s ADAS features
Real training of FSD begins soon pic.twitter.com/qfDPzbjVnz
Part of a Broader Push in India
These job postings are not isolated. Tesla has been gradually laying the groundwork for an official entry into the Indian market. The company has previously registered Tesla India Motor & Energy Pvt Ltd, with the Indian arm of the company leasing office space in late 2023.
Additionally, Tesla has more recently selected its first showroom locations in the country. According to a previous report, two sites in New Delhi and Mumbai have been finalized, aligning with the two cities targeted for hiring Autopilot operators.
The company has also initiated a serious hiring blitz, conducting a hiring day in March seeking candidates for the position of Sales Advisors for the new showrooms.
Meanwhile, a camouflaged Tesla Model Y has been spotted undergoing road testing in India, fueling speculation that it could be the company’s launch vehicle in the market.
Government Talks and Manufacturing Plans
Tesla’s renewed momentum in India comes after years of on-again, off-again negotiations with the Indian government over import duties and local manufacturing commitments. In 2021, CEO Elon Musk said on X the high import duties were a barrier to entry, but discussions appear to have progressed since then.
In 2024, the Indian government announced a new EV policy offering reduced tariffs for companies that commit to manufacturing vehicles in the country within three years. Tesla is expected to take advantage of this framework to establish a domestic production facility, although no official confirmation has been made.
