Business Development Skillbridge Intern ( Summer 2026)

Business Development SkillBridge Intern (Summer 2026)

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 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 (coming soon).

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

About This Role

Varda supports a diverse range of customers—from pharmaceutical companies pioneering new therapeutics in microgravity, to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied agencies leveraging our reentry vehicles for critical missions. We also partner with private industry, research institutions, and universities conducting advanced orbital and reentry R&D.

As a Business Development SkillBridge Intern – Advanced Concepts, you will help identify, develop, and capture new business opportunities that expand the use of Varda's spacecraft in national security missions. You will take ownership of capture opportunities—from early engagement strategy through proposal development—working closely with Varda's engineering and program teams to shape mission concepts that align our novel architecture with DoD requirements and future space mission paradigms.

Your contributions will directly accelerate U.S. capabilities in space and reentry—and help ensure Varda remains at the forefront of space innovation.

This is an Intern position located in El Segundo, CA, or Washington DC.

Responsibilities

Identify and qualify prospective opportunities and the stakeholders, including the US Army, US Space Force, US Air Force, US Navy, Special Operations Command, Combatant Commands and others including commercial entities, that seek space and reentry capability.

Take full ownership of select solicitations, managing the process from the initial approach and proposal development through contract negotiations and closure.

Collaborate with technical and program management teams to translate customer requirements into feasible mission parameters, ensuring alignment with Varda's capabilities and strategic objectives.

Take ownership on proposals and white papers that include technical scopes, pricing models, compliance documentation, and schedules, ensuring submissions meet customer and regulatory standards.

Analyze DoW customer budget exhibits to understand program schedules, funding, milestones and procurement strategies.

Develop relationships with key stakeholders—ranging from government customers and academia to private industry leads—and maintain a steady pipeline of opportunities.

As required, represent Varda at conferences, networking events, and industry forums to engage with commercial space, academia and DoW market segments.

Monitor industry trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies keeping internal teams informed and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in business, engineering, science, or related field

3+ years of DoW Service including at least 1 year of space or hypersonic aerospace relevant roles

Experience with Program Management/Mission Management for a technical aerospace project

Experience interfacing with Industry

Demonstrated interest in spaceflight, hypersonic research, and related R&D fields

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling white papers and proposals

Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships

Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time (both domestic and international)

Active TS/SCI

U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S. Government space technology export regulations under ITAR

Preferred Skills And Experience

Master's degree in business management, strategic studies, or engineering

Engineering Background and Experience

Familiarity with DoW Program/Budget process, proposal processes, international space agency frameworks, and academic research funding cycles