Thermal Engineering Internship - Summer 2027

Location: El Segundo, California, United States Department: Internship

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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

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

Spring internships will range between the months of January and May. 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.

As a part of the Thermal team you will get to work on the vehicle thermal analysis model to generate temperature predictions for our tests and missions. There may also be opportunities to run tests to verify our model predictions, create tools to help post-processing data, and design thermal hardware for the flight vehicle.

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

Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns including setup, execution, and data collection

Contribute to thermal models for spacecraft components and systems using tools like Thermal Desktop and ANSYS

Analyze flight and ground test thermal data using Python and MATLAB

Design, procure, test, and validate thermal hardware (e.g., MLI blankets, heat straps, thermal interfaces)

Support integration and test (I&T) activities related to thermal components and subsystems

Collaborate with systems and mechanical teams to ensure thermal requirements are met

Basic Qualifications

Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline

Completed coursework in

Heat Transfer

Thermodynamics

Fluid Mechanics

Data processing

Experience or coursework using thermal analysis software (e.g., Thermal Desktop, Ansys, Star CCM)

Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, AutoCAD, PTC, or similar)

Comfortable with data analysis in MATLAB and Python

Prior thermal internship, lab,  project team, or rigorous school project experience relevant to heat transfer/thermal

Preferred Skills And Experience

Prior thermal internship experience in aerospace

Hardware procurement, build, and testing experience

Familiarity with spacecraft testing environments or aerospace systems

Experience working on a student design or competition team (e.g., rocketry, CubeSat, Formula SAE)

Leadership experience (demonstrated communication, organization, problem solving)

Compensation

Hourly Rate: $33.00

Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area

Commuter benefit to support local transportation

Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions

Health & Wellness

Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options

Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance

$120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses

12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)

Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic

Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up

401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)

$20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly

Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations

Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions

Paid observed holidays

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options

Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financi