Thermal Engineering Internship - Summer 2026
Thermal Engineering Internship - Summer 2026
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1 Vacancy
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 offices in Washington DC and Huntsville AL (coming soon).
Join Varda and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
Summer internships will range between the months of May and August. All datesdependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles CA.
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 companys 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. Were dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Vardas success.
Responsibilities
Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns including setup execution and data collection
Assist in developing thermal models for spacecraft components and systems using tools like Thermal Desktop Ansys or Star CCM
Analyze flight and ground test thermal data using Python and MATLAB
Participate in the design and development of 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
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
Preferred Skills And Experience
Prior internship or project experience in thermal engineering
Completion of data processing or numerical analysis coursework
Familiarity with spacecraft testing environments or aerospace systems
Experience working on a student design or competition team (e.g. rocketry CubeSat Formula SAE)
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 working by your side
- 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 theE-Verifyprogram.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Required Experience:
Intern
Employment Type
Intern
