Vehicle Integration & Test Internship - Summer 2027

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); Vor Ort; USD 38.000 - 53.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Housing stipend for interns relocating

Commuter benefit

Relocation assistance

Relocation up to $4,000

EV charging access

Health insurance

Fully stocked kitchen

Zusammenfassung

Varda Space Industries in Los Angeles, CA, invites energetic students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs to join our Vehicle Integration & Test team as summer interns. You will work on hardware/software design, system tests, and real-time problem solving on spacecraft and payloads, bridging design and flight in a startup aerospace environment.

This internship offers hands-on experience, collaboration with seasoned engineers, and projects such as GSE design, test development, and

Qualifikationen

• Hands-on experience in engineering disciplines.
• Modeling/Assembly CAD experience.

Aufgaben

• Own or contribute to hardware or software design to support development of Spacecraft or payload
• Develop and support system test campaigns
• Perform necessary analysis to support development and verification efforts

Kenntnisse

Hands-on engineering

Python

Tools

CAD

Jobbeschreibung

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.

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 Vehicle Integration & Test team at Varda is responsible for the assembly, integration, and verification of our spacecraft and reentry systems. Interns on this team play a critical role in bridging the gap between design and flight, gaining hands‑on experience with flight hardware, test operations, and real‑time problem solving. Whether you’re building test equipment, assembling mechanical systems, or running spacecraft‑level checks, you’ll be directly contributing to mission success.

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 design to support development of Spacecraft or payload
• Develop and support system test campaigns
• Perform necessary analysis to support development and verification efforts

Basic Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience in any engineering discipline
• Modeling/Assembly CAD experience

Preferred Skills And Experience

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

Candidate Profiles

Successful candidates often fall into one of the following technical profiles, though responsibilities may overlap depending on project needs.

Avionics / Electrical Systems

• Develop and interpret wiring schematics and harnessing
• Support spacecraft electrical integration
• Assist with avionics hardware testing and troubleshooting

Propulsion / Ground Test Engineering

• Support propulsion system build and operation
• Design ground support equipment (GSE) and develop propulsion test plans
• Assist in executing and documenting hardware test campaigns

Software / Test Automation

• Develop Python‑based tools and user interfaces for test operations
• Support test automation and data collection systems
• Build software utilities to improve hardware testing workflows

Projects You May Work On

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

• Procedure generation to build and test spacecraft
• Ground Support Equipment (GSE) design
• Test development and execution
• Flight hardware upgrades and modifications
• Automating vehicle testing and data review

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 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.