Thermal 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

Relocation support up to $4,000

Job summary

Varda is seeking a Thermal Engineering Intern for Summer 2027 to work on vehicle thermal analysis models and test activities in Los Angeles, CA. You will generate temperature predictions for tests and missions, with opportunities to run tests, build processing tools, and contribute to thermal hardware design.

The internship emphasizes growth in technical and professional skills within a collaborative startup environment, alongside aerospace professionals.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering field.
• Strong foundation in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Familiarity with thermal analysis software and data processing.

Responsibilities

• Support thermal vacuum test campaigns including setup, execution, and data collection.
• Develop and refine thermal models for spacecraft components using Thermal Desktop and ANSYS.
• Analyze flight and ground test thermal data with Python and MATLAB.
• Design, procure, test, and validate thermal hardware such as MLI blankets and heat straps.
• Assist integration and test activities related to thermal components.
• Collaborate with systems and mechanical teams to meet thermal requirements.

Skills

Heat transfer knowledge

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Python

MATLAB

Data processing

Education

Pursuing degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

ANSYS

Star CCM

NX CAD

AutoCAD

PTC

Job description

Thermal 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

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 Los Angeles, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

As a part of the Thermal team you will get to work on the vehicle thermal analysis model to generate temperature predictions for our tests and missions. There may also be opportunities to run tests to verify our model predictions, create tools to help post‑processing data, and design thermal hardware for the flight vehicle.

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

• Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns including setup, execution, and data collection
• Contribute to thermal models for spacecraft components and systems using tools like Thermal Desktop and ANSYS
• Analyze flight and ground test thermal data using Python and MATLAB
• Design, procure, test, and validate thermal hardware (e.g., MLI blankets, heat straps, thermal interfaces)
• Support integration and test (I&T) activities related to thermal components and subsystems
• Collaborate with systems and mechanical teams to ensure thermal requirements are met

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline
• Completed coursework in:
  • Heat Transfer
  • Thermodynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Data processing
• Experience or coursework using thermal analysis software (e.g., Thermal Desktop, Ansys, Star CCM)
• Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, AutoCAD, PTC, or similar)
• Comfortable with data analysis in MATLAB and Python
• Prior thermal internship, lab, project team, or rigorous school project experience relevant to heat transfer/thermal

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Prior thermal internship experience in aerospace
• Hardware procurement, build, and testing experience
• Familiarity with spacecraft testing environments or aerospace systems
• Experience working on a student design or competition team (e.g., rocketry, CubeSat, Formula SAE)
• Leadership experience (demonstrated communication, organization, problem solving)

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 (immediatelyvested)
• $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

Intern Positions:

• 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
• $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

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.

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.