Manufacturing 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 expanding the economic bounds of humankind by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth.

Our team is 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 backing from world-class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, Varda has offices and a production facility where vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested, as well as additional offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

About the Role

Spring internships will range between January and May, with exact dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in El Segundo, CA. To be considered, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

The Manufacturing Engineering Team at Varda is responsible for the assembly and integration of spacecraft and reentry systems. Interns on this team play a critical role in bridging the gap between design and production, gaining hands-on experience with flight hardware, build operations, and real-time problem solving. Whether designing production tooling, refining hardware for manufacturability, or designing the factory itself, you’ll directly contribute to mission success. Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects in a startup environment, learning from accomplished aerospace professionals.

Responsibilities

• Own or contribute to factory design to support production scaling needs
• Create new production processes or improve existing workflows
• Optimize hardware designs for manufacturability
• Perform hands-on production tasks or support production operations when needed

Requirements

• Hands-on experience in any discipline from project teams or internships
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (5S, production floor space, etc.)
• Modeling/Assembly CAD experience

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Engineering or Physics (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field)
• Strong understanding of core engineering concepts, with completed coursework in:
  • Statics
  • Dynamics, including Fluid Dynamics
  • Thermodynamics or Heat Transfer
• Experience using engineering tools such as CAD (e.g., NX), MATLAB, and/or LabVIEW
• Experience with SQL programming language
• Proven ability to own and deliver a technically complex project, preferably in a team setting (e.g., FSAE, senior design, rocket team, etc.)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment

Pay

Hourly Rate: $33.00

Benefits

• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation
• Subset of full-time employee benefits, including:
  • Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
  • Company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents (with FSA and employer-matched HSA options)
  • Wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
  • Parental leave
  • 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
  • Cell phone reimbursement
  • 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

Varda is an E-Verify employer and requires employees to be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export-controlled items.