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vardaspace

Vehicle Integration and Test Internship - Fall 2026

vardaspaceEl Segundo, CA
💰 $18,000 – $25,000/yrInternshipelectricianhandyman services

Quick Summary

Fall 2026 internship for vehicle integration and testing of spacecraft and reentry systems at Varda Space Industries in Los Angeles.

Skills & Keywords

CAD modelingspacecraft integrationsystem testingPython

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

Required Qualifications

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

Nice to Have

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

Compensation & Benefits

Total rewards package

Benefits included

Medical
Dental
Vision
401(k)
Stock & Equity
Parental Leave
Paid Vacation
Transportation

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.

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.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff 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 significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

Fall internships will range between the months of August and December. 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.

Candidate Profiles

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

Avionics / Electrical Systems

Propulsion / Ground Test Engineering

Software / Test Automation

  • Develop and interpret wiring schematics and harnessing
  • Support spacecraft electrical integration
  • Assist with avionics hardware testing and troubleshooting
  • Support propulsion system build and operation
  • Design ground support equipment (GSE) and develop propulsion test plans
  • Assist in executing and documenting hardware test campaigns
  • 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

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

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Apply today for this Vehicle Integration and Test Internship - Fall 2026 role.

Vehicle Integration and Test Internship - Fall 2026 at vardaspace | Qiggz