Avionics Engineering Internship - Spring 2027

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 El Segundo, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.  The Avionics Team is responsible for all electronics on the spacecraft, ranging from flight computers, to batteries, and  radios. Across the different disciplines, interns can look forward to owning a new circuit design and owning it from start to finish, allowing them to capture schematics, perform layout, manufacture, and test hardware within their internship period. Come work with the team and help design the future electronics for our Spacecraft. 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 Design and test custom PCBs for embedded electronics and analog/digital systems Work on end-to-end development of hardware systems including schematic capture, layout, and testing Support embedded system development using microcontrollers and sensors Contribute to one or more projects; examples of previous intern projects include the following: Embedded Camera System: Integrate camera + optics + microprocessor + Ethernet for use in microscopy and star trackers Thermocouple Logger: Design a ground-up thermocouple logger including cold-junction compensation and coefficient generation Analog TEC Controller: Develop a current-controlled Thermoelectric Cooler driver for biologics temperature control Basic Qualifications Prior experience designing PCBs (printed circuit boards) Familiarity with microcontroller programming Some experience or interest in Python programming Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field Preferred Skills And Experience   Familiarity with Altium or other PCB design tools (not required but preferred) Entering Junior year or later in your academic program Strong attention to detail and ability to debug hardware prototypes Previous hands-on experience in project teams or labs 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   Benefits for Internship Positions:   Health & Wellness     Paid observed holidays.     100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.    $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.     Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and