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Elite Athlete Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We have one on one clients doing personal training & these athletes range from 7 years old beginner to elite athlete. Qualifications: * 3+ year of coaching * Believes they can be the best coach on ...

$150 - $200/hr

The HCSP has substantial experience and clinical acumen in musculoskeletal diagnostics and management strategies for elite athlete populations, multidisciplinary care coordination, provision of ...

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Elite Athlete information

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$290K

$400K

How much do elite athlete jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for elite athlete in the United States is $393,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $400,000.00 and $400,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an elite athlete?

Elite athletes are individuals who compete at the highest levels of their sport, often representing their country or playing for professional teams. They have exceptional physical abilities, advanced skills, and undergo rigorous training and coaching to maintain peak performance. Elite athletes typically participate in international competitions such as the Olympics, World Championships, or professional leagues, and are recognized for their dedication, discipline, and achievements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an elite athlete, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Elite Athlete, you need exceptional physical fitness, sport-specific technical skills, and a history of competitive performance, often supported by advanced coaching and training. Mastery of performance analysis tools, strength and conditioning programs, and familiarity with recovery technologies are typically required. Outstanding discipline, mental resilience, teamwork, and the ability to handle pressure are vital soft skills that set top athletes apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining peak performance, achieving consistent results, and competing successfully at the highest levels.

What are some common challenges elite athletes face in balancing training, competition, and personal life?

Elite athletes often encounter challenges in maintaining a healthy balance between the rigorous demands of training and competition schedules and their personal lives. Long hours of practice, frequent travel, and the pressure to perform at a high level can lead to physical and mental fatigue. Many athletes work closely with coaches, sports psychologists, and support staff to develop strategies for time management, recovery, and mental well-being. Maintaining strong communication with their support networks is key to sustaining both peak performance and personal relationships.

What is the difference between Elite Athlete vs Professional Athlete?

AspectElite AthleteProfessional Athlete
CredentialsHigh-level training, specialized coaching, often with national or international recognitionContracted by teams or organizations, may require specific sports licenses or certifications
Work EnvironmentTraining facilities, competitions, and events at national/international levelsTeam facilities, stadiums, and sports venues during competitions and training
Industry UsageUsed across various sports to denote top-tier competitorsCommonly used to describe paid athletes competing professionally

Elite Athletes are top-tier competitors often recognized for exceptional skill and training, sometimes at amateur or semi-professional levels. Professional Athletes are those who earn a living through sports, competing at the highest levels. While all professional athletes are elite, not all elite athletes are necessarily professional if they haven't turned professional or earned income from their sport.

How much do elite athletes make?

Elite athletes' earnings vary widely depending on the sport, level of competition, and endorsement deals. Top professional athletes can earn millions of dollars annually through salaries, sponsorships, and prize money, while others may earn significantly less. Income often depends on performance, marketability, and the sport's popularity.
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What are popular job titles related to Elite Athlete jobs?

For Elite Athlete jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Elite Athlete job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $393,215 per year, or $189 per hour.

Research Engineer - Performance

Carlsbad, CA • On-site

TaylorMade Golf
Retail • 1 - 5K employees

$80 - $100/hr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


TaylorMade Golf rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

The Performance Research Engineer will play a critical role in advancing TaylorMade's leadership in golf equipment performance. This role bridges physical testing, player testing, Tour-level data collection, and advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights that influence product design, product validation, and performance optimization. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with strong mechanical aptitude, advanced data skills, deep golf intuition, and the ability to translate player feedback into clear engineering direction.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design and execution of advanced performance testing protocols for golf clubs and balls, including lab, player, field, and Tour-based testing environments.
  • Serve as a category-focused Performance Engineering owner for one or more product areas, with potential emphasis across Woods, Irons, Putter/Wedge, or cross-category initiatives.
  • Support PGA/LPGA Tour and elite-athlete testing by collecting clean, repeatable, decision-ready data while operating professionally and respectfully in player-facing environments.
  • Analyze large datasets from lab, player, and field testing to extract insights on ball speed, launch, spin, consistency, delivery, impact location, dispersion, and performance tradeoffs.
  • Translate Tour and player-test observations into clear engineering recommendations, product questions, validation plans, and follow-up experiments.
  • Develop and maintain automated data pipelines, dashboards, and reporting tools for performance tracking, project communication, and cross-functional decision-making.
  • Collaborate with R&D, Product Development, Tour, Fitting, Consumer Insights, and Analytics teams to integrate player feedback and real-world data into product design.
  • Conduct competitor benchmarking and present findings that influence product strategy, category positioning, and performance targets.
  • Support the development of new test methods, instrumentation, normalization approaches, and repeatable workflows that improve testing quality and organizational leverage.
  • Help train engineers and player test analysts on Tour-facing testing etiquette, data collection standards, and best practices for working with elite athletes.
  • Performs other related duties and assignments as required.
Knowledge and Skills Requirements:
  • Strong golf background, with low single-digit handicap preferred, and a deep understanding of equipment-player interaction.
  • Demonstrated experience designing statistically rigorous experiments, including power analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), measurement system analysis, and confidence-based decision making.
  • Experience applying AI-assisted workflows to experimental planning, statistical analysis, test automation, reporting, and synthesis of complex engineering datasets.
  • Ability to communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including R&D leadership, category teams, Tour representatives, and cross-functional partners.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and contribute to a culture of shared learning, humility, and high-quality execution.
  • Comfort operating in both structured lab environments and dynamic player-facing environments where priorities, schedules, and test conditions can change quickly.
Education, Work Experience, and Professional Certifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Computer Science or related), Applied Mathematics, Physics, Data Science, or a related technical field. Master's degree plus 0-2 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 2-4 years of relevant experience. Experience with golf launch monitors, motion capture, or high-speed video analysis. Familiarity with advanced statistical methods (e.g., ANOVA, regression modeling, machine learning). Ability to integrate engineering judgment, statistical rigor, subjective feedback, and real-world testing observations into clear product development recommendations. Analytical, detail-oriented, intellectually curious, and comfortable challenging assumptions with data. Hands‑on, proactive, and willing to move between lab execution, field testing, analysis, and executive‑level communication. Collaborative and humble, with the ability to build trust across R&D, Tour, Product Development, and player‑facing teams. Passionate about golf, equipment performance, and continuous improvement. Able to operate with professionalism and discretion around elite athletes, confidential prototypes, and competitive product information.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:
  • Hybrid office, lab, field-testing, and Tour-support environment with extensive computer use, data review, and communication across teams.
  • Ability to work extended hours during key testing cycles, product deadlines, player-test windows, or Tour-related activities.
  • Comfortable working in dynamic environments with frequent context switching, changing test conditions, and real-time decision-making.
  • Light physical activity, including moving test equipment, prototypes, and other lightweight materials.
  • Regular travel to test facilities, player testing sessions, and PGA/LPGA Tour events may be required.

TaylorMade is a performance driven organization and our total rewards approach to compensation is designed to support this. We consider many factors in determining base compensation, including position scope, job related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and work location.

The expected annual base pay range for this position is $88,000 - $100,000.

Additional benefits, such as health & wellness, performance bonuses, product discounts, holidays, paid time off, etc. may also be offered in accordance with our plans.

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TaylorMade Golf Company is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

We believe that our people are a big part of what makes our company great.

Our continued success relies on the talent, drive, collaboration and innovation of our teams.

At TaylorMade, we pride ourselves on being willing to do anything and everything to make our golfers better – which starts with our talented and dedicated employees.

We have a group of people who live, breathe and sleep golf, doing whatever it takes to make the best, most technologically advanced and highest quality equipment for our golfers.

Team TaylorMade is made up of passionate individuals who are obsessed with always being better today than yesterday.

Individuals who bring diversity of thought and experience to our company and are motivated by our brand principles.

We believe in the continuous development and cultivation of our people – to inspire them on their individual path of growth.

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade has a global impact with regional offices and opportunities around the world.

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