As Tesla continues to expand its self-driving technology across Europe, the company’s hiring efforts have now reached Austria. In November 2025, Tesla posted a “Fahrer (Vehicle Operator)” job listing at its Vienna office. The position’s main purpose is collecting real-world driving data to improve the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system for European roads.
This Austrian hiring move follows Tesla’s July 2025 authorization to run FSD trials in Spain. The company’s strategy now includes coordinated testing programs across Germany, France, Italy, and Austria. These efforts are part of Tesla’s plan to get regulatory approval for autonomous vehicles across Europe by early 2026. Tesla expects regulatory approval from Dutch RDW by February 2026, marking a critical milestone for European expansion. The rollout strategy emphasizes passenger experiences to meet regulatory requirements across all these European markets.
The job requires applicants to have a valid Austrian driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience. Candidates must also speak English fluently and have knowledge of advanced driver assistance systems. The annual starting salary is EUR 32,000, with increases possible based on experience. The compensation package includes Tesla’s employee stock purchase plan and standard European benefits.
Drivers hired for this role won’t simply watch self-driving cars operate. They’ll actively collect data from Vienna’s city streets and Austrian highways. Their responsibilities include monitoring vehicle performance, documenting how the FSD system responds to Austrian traffic conditions, and writing technical reports on the vehicle’s behavior. Tesla continuously uses real-world data from billions of miles driven to refine its autonomous driving algorithms and improve safety performance.
Here’s an important detail: Austrian law requires human supervisors to be present during these demonstration drives. The drivers serve as legally mandated safety operators, which aligns with similar requirements in the Netherlands and other European nations. This approach reflects the European Union’s careful approval process for autonomous vehicle technology.
The testing vehicles fall under Phase 3 regulations, which allow optional onboard safety operators during demonstrations. Austria’s central European location makes it ideal for Tesla’s multi-country testing strategy. The country’s unique traffic patterns and road conditions provide significant data for refining FSD algorithms.
Tesla’s Austrian hiring campaign shows how seriously the company takes European autonomous vehicle development. By employing local drivers who comprehend regional road conditions, Tesla can gather information that helps its self-driving technology modify to European roads.
The question remains whether human supervision will ultimately be necessary once these systems become more advanced.