Cybersecurity Internship - Spring 2027

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Our W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. From life-saving pharmaceuticals to advanced fiber optics, Varda is creating products and infrastructure to expand the economic bounds of humankind. Our team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies, and Silicon Valley. Founded in 2021, Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, with additional offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

About the role

Spring internships will range between January and May, depending on 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. This internship offers hands-on experience with a real cybersecurity team, helping monitor security alerts, configure tools, and prepare for an upcoming certification audit.

Responsibilities

• Review and triage daily security alerts, documenting actions taken.
• Assist in configuring, fine-tuning, and improving security tools such as Zscaler, CrowdStrike, ThreatLocker, Darktrace, and AlienVault.
• Maintain up-to-date security event logs and organize sample logs for audit purposes.
• Track and file reports from external security partners, ensuring timely updates in compliance software.
• Own a summer-long project (e.g., gap analysis, incident response guide, or dashboard) from start to finish.

What You Will Learn

• How an information security team operates to meet audit requirements.
• How daily tasks (alert monitoring, documentation, log storage) translate into audit-ready evidence.
• Hands-on experience with tools like Zscaler, CrowdStrike, ThreatLocker, Darktrace, and AlienVault.
• Clear technical writing for non-technical audiences.
• Collaboration within a security team, including analysts, engineers, compliance managers, and external partners.

Requirements

• Current undergraduate student in cybersecurity, computer science, IT, information systems, or a related field.
• Coursework or self-study in at least two of the following: networking, operating systems, identity management, incident response, or threat monitoring.
• Comfortable reading logs and working with data in spreadsheets.
• Basic understanding of scripting (Python, PowerShell, or Bash).
• Strong written communication skills for notes and reports.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in asking questions.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of the internship without visa sponsorship.

Nice to Have

• Pursuing beginner certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Network+.
• Experience with security tools in home labs, school clubs, or CTF competitions.
• Familiarity with Zscaler, CrowdStrike, ThreatLocker, Darktrace, AlienVault, Okta, or Vanta.
• Awareness of compliance frameworks like NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, or CMMC.
• Ability to write simple scripts in Python, PowerShell, or Bash.

Pay

Hourly Rate: $33.00

Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area.

Commuter benefit to support local transportation.

Benefits

Interns receive a subset of the following benefits:

• Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays.
• Lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly.
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours, and mission-success celebrations.
• Complimentary EV charging.