Avionics Engineering Internship - Spring 2027

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 89,544,000 - 99,187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Hourly rate

Job summary

Varda Space Industries invites motivated students for a Spring 2027 Avionics Engineering Internship in El Segundo, CA. The role focuses on designing and testing embedded electronics, developing hardware end-to-end, and supporting microcontroller-based systems on spacecraft hardware.

Interns work on real projects under the Avionics Team, gaining hands-on experience with PCB design tools like Altium and learning from aerospace professionals in a startup environment.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with microcontroller programming.
• Some experience or interest in Python programming.
• Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Entering Junior year or later in your academic program.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to debug hardware prototypes.

Responsibilities

• Design and test custom PCBs for embedded electronics and analog/digital systems
• Work on end-to-end development of hardware systems including schematic capture, layout, and testing
• Support embedded system development using microcontrollers and sensors
• Contribute to one or more projects; Embedded Camera System, Thermocouple Logger, Analog TEC Controller

Skills

Microcontroller programming

Python programming

Attention to detail

Debugging hardware

Education

Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium

Job description

Avionics Engineering Internship - Spring 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

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

The Avionics Team is responsible for all electronics on the spacecraft, ranging from flight computers, to batteries, and radios. Across the different disciplines, interns can look forward to owning a new circuit design and owning it from start to finish, allowing them to capture schematics, perform layout, manufacture, and test hardware within their internship period. Come work with the team and help design the future electronics for our Spacecraft.

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

• Design and test custom PCBs for embedded electronics and analog/digital systems
• Work on end-to-end development of hardware systems including schematic capture, layout, and testing
• Support embedded system development using microcontrollers and sensors
• Contribute to one or more projects; examples of previous intern projects include the following:
• Embedded Camera System: Integrate camera + optics + microprocessor + Ethernet for use in microscopy and star trackers
• Thermocouple Logger: Design a ground-up thermocouple logger including cold-junction compensation and coefficient generation
• Analog TEC Controller: Develop a current-controlled Thermoelectric Cooler driver for biologics temperature control

Basic Qualifications

Familiarity with microcontroller programming

Some experience or interest in Python programming

Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field

Preferred Skills And Experience

Familiarity with Altium or other PCB design tools (not required but preferred)

Entering Junior year or later in your academic program

Strong attention to detail and ability to debug hardware prototypes

Previous hands-on experience in project teams or labs

Compensation

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

Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full‑time employees receive(at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):

• 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 (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

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Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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