Structures Engineering Internship - Summer 2027

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

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in El Segundo, CA seeks interns for hands-on mechanical engineering roles in its Structures Team. You will design, build, and test mechanical elements for in-orbit manufacturing spacecraft or ground support equipment, generating CAD models and engineering drawings for space hardware.

Interns work in a fast-paced startup environment, tackling engineering challenges and collaborating with aerospace professionals to advance Varda’s mission and projects.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, or similar engineering degrees.
• Demonstrated ability to tackle and solve engineering challenges with involvement on technical projects.
• Desire to make your mark in a technically complex and fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Be a part of the Varda Structures Team in designing, building, and testing mechanical elements of Varda's in-orbit manufacturing spacecraft or ground support equipment.
• Trade new design concepts using first-principles, physics-driven approaches.
• Generate CAD models and engineering drawings for hardware that will go to space and back.

Skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Engineering curiosity

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Engineering Physics

Tools

Siemens NX

Femap/NASTRAN

Machining

Python

GD&T

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

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.

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

Be a part of the Varda Structures Team in designing, building, and testing mechanical elements of Varda's in-orbit manufacturing spacecraft or ground support equipment:

• Trade new design concepts using first-principles, physics-driven approaches.
• Generate CAD models and engineering drawings for hardware that will go to space and back.
• Build and test development and flight hardware.

Basic Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor's or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, or similar engineering degrees.
• Demonstrated ability to tackle and solve engineering challenges with involvement on technical projects (e.g. Rocket Club, Formula SAE, previous internship or co-op experience, personal projects).
• Desire to make your mark in a technically complex and fast-moving environment, with a passion for expanding what we can do in space!

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience with CAD software (Siemens NX used at Varda).
• Experience with finite element analysis (Femap w/ NASTRAN used at Varda).
• Experience with machining, using basic equipment such as a mill or lathe.
• Experience with Python or other engineering programming languages.
• Familiarity with GD&T concepts.

Potential Projects

Intern projects will be tailored to company needs and student skillsets closer to the start date. Previous projects included:

• Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) design
• Tooling design and fabrication support
• Test setup development and execution
• Flight hardware upgrades and modifications
• Generative design applications for spacecraft components

Compensation

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

Benefits

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:

Health & Wellness

• 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
• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

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

Intern Positions:

Health & Wellness

• Paid observed holidays
• 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 $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
• Up to $850 commute 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, happy hours and 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 the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

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.