Integration & Test Engineering Internship
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Job Description
About Varda Space Industries:
Varda is a space infrastructure company accelerating the development of commercial space capabilities. They focus on in-orbit manufacturing, aiming to produce products like pharmaceuticals and advanced fiber optics that are impossible to create on Earth. Their goal is to expand the economic potential of humankind by creating both the products and the infrastructure needed for space-based manufacturing to benefit life on Earth. The company boasts a team of experienced professionals from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies, and Silicon Valley. Founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov, Varda is backed by significant investment from firms like Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, and Founders Fund. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California, with additional offices in Washington, D.C., and Huntsville, AL (planned).
About the Internship (Integration & Test):
Varda offers full-time summer internships (May-September, dates dependent on university schedules) in Los Angeles, CA. Interns will work within the Integration & Test team. During the internship period, the team will be transitioning from the W-4 work phase to the W-6 build. This involves refining designs, improving manufacturing processes based on lessons learned from previous campaigns, and actively participating in testing.
Responsibilities:
• Own or contribute to hardware or software designs for spacecraft or payloads.
• Create or support test campaigns and the construction of test stands.
• Perform necessary analysis to support development and testing.
Basic Qualifications:
• Hands-on experience from project teams or internships.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (e.g., 5S).
• Python experience.
• Modeling/Assembly CAD experience.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
• Previous internship or co-op experience.
• Experience on technical project teams (e.g., Rocket club, Formula SAE).
• Mechanical Engineer: Familiarity with NX, GD&T, Thermal Desktop, Matlab/Simulink, Simscape, or other engineering programs.
• Electrical Engineer: Familiarity with Altium, Matlab, Python, PCB design, circuit debugging, oscilloscopes, component test racks, Hardware-in-the-loop testing (HIL or HITL), wire harness design and building.
• Material Science: Familiarity with optics and fiber cable testing, process engineering, design-of-experience, experience running vacuum chambers, experience working in a clean room and/or glovebox environment.
• Software Engineer: Familiarity with Microprocessors and/or FPGAs, C/C++, Python scripting experience, experience setting up CI pipelines and unit tests.
ITAR Requirements: Varda is subject to ITAR regulations and will only hire U.S. persons as defined by U.S. export regulations.
