Propulsion Engineering Internship

1w1 week ago

Varda Space

El Segundo, US · Internship · $65,000 – $85,000

About this role

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Low Earth orbit is open for business. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind by creating products and infrastructure that benefit life on Earth.

The propulsion team handles fluid systems for spacecraft orbital maneuvers and earth reentry, including thrusters for primary maneuvers and attitude control, propellant tanks, and all associated plumbing. This system is completely designed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested in house. Successful candidates gain exposure across all aspects of the design and manufacturing lifecycle.

Varda's team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies, and Silicon Valley. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA, ranging between August and December based on university schedules.

Internships provide optimal growth technically and professionally on impactful projects critical to company success. Work in a collaborative startup environment and learn from accomplished aerospace professionals. Your decisions and contributions help drive Varda’s success.

Requirements

Actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program
Pursuing a bachelor's or master’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or similar
Completed engineering coursework relevant to propulsion including at least one of Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Compressible Flow, or Combustion
Familiarity with engineering design software and principles such as NX/Teamcenter and GD&T

Responsibilities

Own or contribute to hardware or software design to support development of spacecraft propulsion systems
Design fluid systems including thrusters, propellant tanks, and associated plumbing
Create or support test campaigns and build test stands for propulsion components
Perform analysis to support development and testing of fluid systems
Support fabrication and integration of propulsion hardware
Assist in spacecraft orbital maneuvers and reentry system testing

Benefits

Work with leadership and staff from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Silicon Valley
Collaborate in a startup environment on projects critical to company success
Exposure across design, analysis, fabrication, and testing of space vehicle systems
Learn from accomplished aerospace professionals in a bustling in-space ecosystem