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Manipulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AI Engineer, Manipulation, Optimus

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$122K - $151K/yr

They are seeking an AI Engineer to design and develop their robotic manipulation software stack and algorithms, enabling humanoid robots to perform useful tasks in various environments.

Showing results 21-40

Manipulation information

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$19.5K

$88.4K

$173.5K

How much do manipulation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for manipulation in the United States is $88,448.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $151,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in industrial materials manipulation roles, and how can they overcome them?

Professionals in industrial materials manipulation, such as machinists or materials handlers, often encounter challenges like maintaining precision during repetitive tasks, ensuring safety while handling heavy equipment, and adapting to new technologies or automation. Overcoming these challenges typically involves ongoing training, adherence to strict safety protocols, and collaboration with engineers and quality control teams. Staying current with industry standards and embracing continuous improvement practices can also help professionals excel in these roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a manipulation specialist?

To excel as a Manipulation Specialist (e.g., Manual Therapist or Physical Manipulation Practitioner), you need a deep understanding of human anatomy, musculoskeletal assessment, and hands-on therapy techniques, typically supported by a relevant health science degree and licensure. Mastery of tools such as goniometers, therapeutic ultrasound, and patient management systems is often required, along with certifications like Certified Manual Therapist (CMT). Excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, and clear communication help build trust with patients and facilitate effective treatment plans. These skills ensure safe, effective care and optimal recovery outcomes for patients seeking physical rehabilitation.

What is the difference between Manipulation vs Massage Therapist?

AspectManipulationMassage Therapist
CredentialsOften requires certification in chiropractic or physical therapy techniquesRequires massage therapy certification or license
Work EnvironmentClinics, chiropractic offices, physical therapy centersSpas, wellness centers, clinics
Industry UsageUsed in healthcare for joint and soft tissue treatmentUsed in wellness and relaxation services
Common Search IntentUnderstanding therapeutic joint or soft tissue manipulationSeeking relaxation or therapeutic massage services

Manipulation involves specific techniques to adjust joints or soft tissues, often performed by licensed healthcare professionals. Massage therapists focus on soft tissue manipulation to promote relaxation and healing. While both involve manual techniques, their credentials, settings, and purposes differ significantly.

What is a manipulation job?

Manipulation jobs typically refer to roles that involve handling, moving, or altering objects, materials, or data. These jobs can be found in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, laboratory research, and robotics, where precise physical or digital manipulation is required. The tasks may include assembling products, operating machinery, adjusting settings, or processing information. The specific skills and tools required depend on the industry and the nature of the items or data being manipulated.
More about Manipulation jobs
Infographic showing various Manipulation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,448 per year, or $42.5 per hour.

AI Engineer, Manipulation, Optimus

Tesla

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$122K - $151K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Tesla rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 681 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Job Summary:
Tesla is a company focused on solving robust embodied intelligence through humanoid robots. They are seeking an AI Engineer to design and develop their robotic manipulation software stack and algorithms, enabling humanoid robots to perform useful tasks in various environments.
Responsibilities:
• Design and develop our learned robotic manipulation software stack and algorithms
• Develop robotic manipulation capabilities including but not limited to (re)grasping, pick-and-place, and more dexterous behaviors to enable useful work in both structured and unstructured environments
• Model robotic manipulation processes to enable analysis, simulation, planning, and controls
• Reason about uncertainty due to measurements and physical interaction with the environment, and develop algorithms that adapt well to imperfect information
• Assist with overall software architecture design, including designing interfaces between subsystems
• Ship production quality, safety-critical software
• Collaborate with a team of exceptional individuals laser focused on bringing useful bi-ped humanoid robots into the real world
Qualifications:
Required:
• Production quality modern C++ or Python
• Experience in deep imitation learning or reinforcement learning in realistic applications
• Exposure to robotics learning through tactile and/or vision-based sensors
• Experience writing both production-level Python (including Numpy and Pytorch) and modern C++
• Proven track record of training and deploying real world neural networks
• Familiarity with 3D computer vision and/or graphics pipelines
• Experience with Natural Language Processing
• Experience with distributed deep learning systems
• Prior work in Robotics, State estimation, Visual Odometry, SLAM, Structure from Motion, 3D Reconstruction
Company:
Tesla is an electric vehicle and clean energy company that provides electric cars, solar, and renewable energy solutions. Founded in 2003, the company is headquartered in Austin, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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