Vehicle Integration & Test Internship - Fall

Vehicle Integration & Test Internship - Fall 2026

Own the hands‑on integration and testing workflow for spacecraft hardware in Fall 2026 internship

Location:

El Segundo, California, United States

Compensation: $33 USD / hour

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.

Fall internships will range between the months of August and December. All dates are 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 are building test equipment, assembling mechanical systems, or running spacecraft‑level checks, you will 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 the 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.

• 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

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

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

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

• 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

Intern projects will be tailored to company needs and student…