Flight Software Internship - Fall

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 Space

X, 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 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.

In this role, you will contribute to developing internal mission control software used by engineers and operators to monitor, command, and analyze Varda’s spacecraft. This includes building automation scripts, backend services, and telemetry systems that ensure smooth and reliable operations across all phases of flight. You’ll work closely with the flight software, test, and systems teams to help bring our missions from launch to recovery.

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.

• Develop and maintain Python-based tools that interface with flight and ground systems
• Assist in scripting and automation to support mission operations
• Contribute to backend systems used for telemetry, data processing, or test coordination
• Help ensure mission software reliability and maintainability through good software engineering practices

• Proficiency in Python
• Understanding of core computer science fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, OS, etc.)
• Ability to debug complex software issues
• Comfort working in Linux-based environments

• Experience contributing to software projects outside class
• Knowledge of signals and systems, digital design, or embedded development is a bonus
• Experience on college “project teams” (e.g., rocketry, robotics, etc.)

• Computer Architecture
• Operating Systems
• Software Engineering / Computer Science Fundamentals
• Data Structures & Algorithms
• (Bonus) Signals and Systems
• (Bonus) Digital Design, Assembly, Embedded Systems, Electronics

• Hourly Rate: $37.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation

• Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export‑controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations.
  
  Because our employees…