Avionics Engineering Internship - Spring 2027
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 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 headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
About the role
Spring internships will range between January and May, dependent upon university schedules. Internships are full-time and on-site in El Segundo, CA. Candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. The Avionics Team is responsible for all electronics on the spacecraft, including flight computers, batteries, and radios. Interns will own a new circuit design from start to finish, capturing schematics, performing layout, manufacturing, and testing hardware within the internship period.
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 collaborate in a startup environment and learn from accomplished aerospace professionals.
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:
- 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
Requirements
- Prior experience designing PCBs (printed circuit boards)
- Familiarity with microcontroller programming
- Some experience or interest in Python programming
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
Skills
- Familiarity with Altium or other PCB design tools (preferred but not required)
- 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
Pay
Hourly Rate: $33.00
Benefits
Varda offers a subset of the following benefits for interns:
- Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
- Commuter benefit to support local transportation
Full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 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
- 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
- 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