Varda

Spacecraft Engineering Internship (GNC) - Spring/Summer 2025

El Segundo, California, United States

Internship

2 hours ago

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Job description

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 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 an office in Washington, D.C.

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

About This Role

Spring internships will range between the months of January and May. Summer internships will range between the months of May and September. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA.

The GNC team is responsible for the the design, analysis, simulation and operation of reentry vehicles at Varda Space Industries. For this role, you'll be part of performing end to end analyses and validations for the navigation, trajectories and flight to enable the precision targeting and reentry capability for next generation manufacturing reentry vehicles.

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

As part of the GNC team, own or contribute to analysis, algorithms and simulations for reentry vehicles
Own Integration and testing of GNC sensors, actuators and software in simulation and hardware in the loop environments
Design and implement mission critical tooling needed to facilitate automated maneuver responsibility and scheduling decisions
Design and implementation of autonomous satellite attitude control, collision avoidance, orbital rendezvous, burn planning and atmospheric re-entry algorithms
Perform trajectory design, optimization, and dispersion analysis for the reentry of a space capsule

Basic Qualifications

Familiar with orbital mechanics, flight dynamics, trajectory design and optimization, feedback controls, 6DOF flight simulations, navigation solutions, guidance navigation and controls flight algorithms, monte carlo analysis,
Familiarity with C++ or python and modern software development principles

Preferred Skills And Experience

Previous internship or co-op experience
Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e. Rocket Club, Formula SAE, etc.)
Experience with spacecraft or satellite attitude determination and control system design
Understanding of multi-body dynamics, flexible body dynamics and thermodynamics
Experience supporting safety critical flight tests or vehicles
Experience with GMAT, POST2 or similar trajectory modeling tools

ITAR Requirements

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 are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)
Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits

Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field to working by your side
Working in El Segundo, CA - an awesome Southern California beach city with quick access to entertainment and outdoor activities
Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
401(k) matching (interns excluded)
Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

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