Vehicle Integration & Test Internship

About Varda

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.

About This Role

Summer internships will range between May and August, are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. Interns on the Vehicle Integration & Test 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.

Key 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

Requirements & Tech Stack

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 (e.g., Rocket club, Formula SAE)
• Python

Candidate Profiles

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

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

• Paid observed holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• $120/month wellness reimbursement
• Sponsored One Medical memberships

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
• Up to $850 commute 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
• Complimentary EV charging

Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

ITAR Requirements

• Must be a “U.S. person” (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).