Aerodynamics & Analysis Engineering Internship - Summer 2027

Varda; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Hourly rate

Job summary

Varda in Los Angeles, CA, offers a Summer 2027 Aerodynamics & Analysis Engineering Internship. You will perform CFD simulations and support wind tunnel work for our aerospace programs, on-site full-time May–August for actively enrolled students.

We seek candidates pursuing a Master’s in Aerodynamics or Numerical Methods with coursework in thermodynamics and numerical methods, plus Python or MATLAB experience and CFD/tool familiarity. Housing stipend and commuter benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Coursework in Thermodynamics and Numerical Methods.
• Programming in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience with CFD tools and Linux-based systems.
• Python and/or MATLAB programming experience.

Responsibilities

• Run CFD simulations to analyze vehicle performance.
• Support wind tunnel testing campaigns and post-processing.
• Collaborate with engineers to assess aerodynamic loads and thermal environments.
• Contribute to vehicle design improvements based on simulations and tests.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

CFD experience

DSMC experience

Education

Master’s degree in Aerodynamics or Numerical Methods

Tools

Tecplot

Pointwise

Job description

Aerodynamics & Analysis Engineering Internship - Summer 2027

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Summer internships will range between the months of May and August. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

The aerodynamic department is responsible for all aerodynamic and aero-heating analysis for all our flight vehicles in all flight regimes. Varda already has a flight-proven vehicle; however, this summer we will work on extending our vehicle payload capabilities for commercial customers and flight test capabilities for hypersonic testbed customers. The occupant of this role will contribute by running simulations and supporting wind tunnel activities that would help improve the capabilities of Varda vehicles!

Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the company’s success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world. We’re dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Varda’s success.

Responsibilities

• Run Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze vehicle performance
• Support wind tunnel testing campaigns and post-processing of data
• Collaborate with engineers to assess aerodynamic loads and thermal environments
• Contribute to vehicle design improvements based on simulation and test data

Basic Qualifications

• Coursework in:
• Thermodynamics
• Numerical Methods
• Programming in Python and/or MATLAB
• Experience with:
• Running CFD tools
• Using Linux-based systems
• Programming in Python and/or MATLAB

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Currently pursuing or completed a Master’s degree in Aerodynamics or Numerical Methods
• Experience running CFD or DSMC
• Familiar with Tecplot and Pointwise
• Some graduate school experience in aerodynamics or fluid mechanics
• Some past experience on an aerodynamics or fluid mechanics project or club

Compensation

• Hourly Rate: $33.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediatelyvest