Manufacturing Engineering Internship - Fall 2026

Manufacturing Engineering Internship - Fall 2026

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 Manufacturing Engineering Team at Varda is responsible for the assembly and integration of our spacecraft and reentry systems. Interns on this team play a critical role in bridging the gap between design and production, gaining hands-on experience with flight hardware, build operations, and real-time problem solving. Whether you're designing production tooling, refining hardware for manufacturability, or designing the factory itself, 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.

Responsibilities

• Own or contribute to factory design to support production scaling needs
• Create new production processes or improve existing workflows
• Optimize hardware designs for manufacturability
• Perform hands-on production tasks or support production operations when needed

Basic Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in any discipline from project teams or internships
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (5S, production floor space, etc)
• Modeling/Assembly CAD experience

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Engineering or Physics (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field)
• Strong understanding of core engineering concepts, with completed coursework in:
• Statics
• Dynamics, including Fluid Dynamics
• Thermodynamics or Heat Transfer
• Experience using engineering tools such as CAD (e.g., NX), MATLAB, and/or LabVIEW
• Experience with SQL programming language
• Proven ability to own and deliver a technically complex project, preferably in a team setting (e.g., FSAE, senior design, rocket team, etc.)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment

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

Compensation

• Hourly Rate: $33.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation