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Spacecraft Engineering Internship (GNC) - Spring/Summer 2025

Varda Space IndustriesEl Segundo, California, United StatesOnsite

About Varda


The environment of space hold the potential to craft products that profoundly enhance life on Earth. Varda is at the forefront of this endeavor, harnessing the unique environment of low earth orbit to produce these innovations and reintroduce them to our world. Our mission transcends mere exploration; we're expanding the economic horizons of humanity.At Varda, you'll be positioned at the nexus of ambition and expertise. Our seasoned team, with its rich legacy in aerospace and technology, has honed its skills in the corridors of industry giants.

Here, your contributions will be both cherished and critiqued by leaders who, with a wealth of experience behind them, are now devoted to the realm of extraterrestrial manufacturing.While our aspirations soar high, our path is grounded in technical pragmatism and operational viability. Our conceptual operations are crystalline material processing and reentry, backed by years of research and development anchored in the International Space Station's, and commercial space sectors expansive achievements.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.E-Verify Notice                                                               Right To Work NoticeRead moreRead more

Life at Varda Space Industries

Thrive Here & What We Value* Innovative Team Environment* Diverse Workforce* Operational Pragmatism* Entrepreneurial Spirit* Work-Life Balance* Fully Funded Startup* Significant Growth Potential* Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)* Daily Lunches/Snacks Provided
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