Mechanisms & Payload Internship - Summer 2027

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

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Health insurance

Wellness reimbursement

One Medical membership

Job summary

Varda Space is seeking a student intern to contribute to hardware and software development for in-space manufacturing payloads. You will design, build, test, and operate electromechanical hardware and collaborate with experts across disciplines to deliver flight-ready components.

Internships are full-time, on-site in Los Angeles, CA, with compensation including an hourly rate and relocation-related housing support. Active enrollment in an accredited degree program is required.

Qualifications

• Experience with mechanical CAD and design for electromechanical hardware.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python preferred).
• Interest in fabricating parts using machine tools.

Responsibilities

• Own or contribute to hardware or software design to support spacecraft or payload development.
• Create or support test campaigns and build test stands.
• Perform analyses to support development and testing.

Skills

Mechanical design

Python programming

Hands-on tooling

Education

Pursuing bachelor's or master's degree in engineering

Tools

NX

Job description

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 payload team is responsible for designing, building, testing, and operating Varda's in-space manufacturing and reentry testbed payloads. Given the cross-functional nature of payload projects, you'll have the opportunity to leverage your programming, mechatronics, structures, fabrication, and testing skills to deliver flight electromechanical hardware while engaging with subject matter experts from a wide variety of technical disciplines.

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

• Own or contribute to hardware or software designtosupport development of Spacecraft or payload
• Create or support test campaignsand buildtest stands
• Perform necessary analysis to support development and testing

Basic Qualifications

• Experience with mechanical CAD (NX preferred)
• Experience designing, building, and/or operating electromechanical hardware (motors, sensors, linkages, gearboxes, solenoids, etc.)
• Basic programming skills in at least one language (python preferred)
• Comfort using common hand tools and interest in learning how to use machine tools to fabricate parts (e.g., drill press, lathe, mill, etc.)
• Pursuing a bachelor's or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineer, or Electrical Engineering (or similar engineering degrees)

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Previous internship or co-op experience
• Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e.Rocket club, formula SAE, etc.)

Projects You May Work On

Intern projects will be tailored to company needs and student skillsets closer to the start date. Typical projects include full cycle (design, analysis, build, test, fly) ownership of :

• Flight mechanisms such as reaction wheels
• Microgravity pharmaceutical manufacturing payloads
• Hosted payloads such as heat shields, navigation systems, RF systems, etc.
• Custom test equipment or prototypes to develop all of the above

Compensation

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

Benefits for Interns

Health & Wellness

• Paidobservedholidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

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

ITAR Requirements

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.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about theE-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

Read more Read more

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.