Varda Space
In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services
Flight Software Intern
+ Housing stipend + Commuter benefit
Relocation support available for new hires.
About the job
- Proficiency in C++ and/or Python.
- Actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program during the internship term.
- Understanding of core computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.
- Ability to debug complex software issues and comfort working in Linux environments.
- Use first-principles reasoning to approach problems and justify design tradeoffs.
- Build Python and/or C++ tools, services, and libraries that interface with flight and ground systems, emphasizing correctness, determinism, and observability.
- Contribute to automation for simulation, hardware-in-loop, and scenario-based testing.
- Debug issues that cross abstraction boundaries, including OS behavior, networking, timing, and hardware-software interactions.
- Collaborate across flight software, embedded systems, mission operations, and test teams; communicate clearly, ask clarifying questions early, and seek support when needed.
- Familiarity with systems fundamentals including concurrency, networking, performance, and reliability.
- Exposure to real-time embedded development or safety-critical software, and a working knowledge of math and physics.
- Experience may come from coursework, personal projects, community college, bootcamps, open-source contributions, internships, or self-driven learning. We care more about your fundamentals, curiosity, and engineering approach than how you acquired them.
- Participation in any project work. Whether robotics, rocketry, capstone projects, personal builds, lab work, or open-source contributions. Focus on demonstrating an interest in understanding systems beneath abstraction layers.
About the company
Varda Space Industries provides in-space manufacturing services by operating production facilities in low Earth orbit and returning finished products to Earth using reentry capsules. Clients send materials or designs to Varda’s in-orbit production line, where microgravity enables manufacturing processes not possible on Earth, before the goods are sent back via capsules. The company builds end-to-end in-orbit infrastructure, including production equipment and reliable reentry systems, to make low Earth orbit more accessible for multiple industries. Its goal is to industrialize low Earth orbit by enabling production in space and bringing products back to Earth for commercial use.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$608.5M
Headquarters
El Segundo, California
Founded
2020
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- United Therapeutics partnership, announced May 13, 2026, validates commercial demand for orbital pharma.
- Varda completed W-6 reentry in 2026 and planned ten launches through 2027.
- FAA’s 2026 environmental review for a Varda reentry license signals continued U.S. government support.
What critics are saying
- Varda still lacks a proven patient-facing drug, and Will Bruey targets 2030 at soonest.
- FAA comment periods ending October 19, 2026 expose Varda to reentry delays and licensing friction.
- If pharma customers stall, government hypersonics work cannot sustain Varda’s orbital-manufacturing economics.
What makes Varda Space unique
- Varda combines microgravity manufacturing with Mach-25 capsule reentry, a rare end-to-end platform.
- Its August 3, 2026 board hire Mikael Dolsten adds Pfizer-grade drug-development credibility.
- Varda’s dual-use capsule serves pharma payloads and hypersonic defense customers on one vehicle.
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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 that is about to go through massive growth
Company parties and generally a fun atmosphere
401(k)
Unlimited PTO
Health insurance
Lunch and snacks provided on site. Dinners twice a week for those working late.
Parental leave
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
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↓ -6%2 year growth
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SpaceX Starfall Capsule launch: unlocking the secrets of space manufacturing (2026). Table of Contents SpaceX is about to embark on an exciting journey with the launch of its secretive Starfall Capsule, a mission that could revolutionize the way we think about manufacturing and space exploration. The upcoming launch on June 23rd marks a significant step forward for the company, as it ventures into a potentially lucrative market of in-orbit manufacturing. But what makes this mission so intriguing, and what does it imply for the future of space exploration and industry? Let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of Starfall. The mystery of Starfall. One thing that immediately stands out is the secrecy surrounding the Starfall Capsule. Prior to sharing launch details, SpaceX had provided no other information about its newly developed reentry vehicle. This has left many of us wondering what exactly the Starfall Capsule is capable of, and what its potential applications could be. Personally, I think this secrecy adds an air of intrigue and excitement to the mission, as we eagerly anticipate the possibilities that lie ahead. A new era of manufacturing. The upcoming launch of Starfall represents a significant step forward for in-orbit manufacturing. The idea is to use the microgravity environment to manufacture materials that would otherwise be impossible to produce on Earth. By overcoming gravity-related limitations on purity and crystalline perfection, in-orbit manufacturing could potentially revolutionize products in industries such as pharmaceuticals. This raises a deeper question: what other industries could benefit from this technology, and how might it change the way we think about manufacturing and production? The competition. SpaceX's Starfall could compete with Varda Space Industries, a California-based startup that's currently pioneering the industry. Varda has flown six of its W-series in-space manufacturing capsules to Earth orbit and recently signed a deal with a pharmaceutical company to explore developing new, improved versions of its drugs in space. This competition is an exciting development, as it drives innovation and pushes the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration and industry. The future of space exploration. The launch of Starfall also raises questions about the future of space exploration. As SpaceX ventures into a new, exciting market, it opens up new possibilities for research and development in the microgravity environment. This could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, materials science, and other fields. However, it also raises concerns about the potential impact on the environment and the ethical implications of space exploration. From my perspective, it's essential to consider these factors as we move forward, and to ensure that space exploration is conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner. Conclusion. In conclusion, the launch of SpaceX's Starfall Capsule represents a significant step forward for in-orbit manufacturing and space exploration. It's an exciting development that could revolutionize the way we think about manufacturing and production, and it opens up new possibilities for research and development in the microgravity environment. However, it also raises questions and concerns that we must address as we move forward. As we eagerly anticipate the launch, let's reflect on the potential implications and consider the broader perspective of space exploration and its impact on our world. References. Top Articles Article information Last Updated: 2026-08-30T11:07:16+07:00 Views: 5625 Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted) Name: Roderick King Birthday: 1997-10-09 Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913 Phone: +2521695290067 Job: Customer Sales Coordinator Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
Varda announces biopharma leader mikael dolsten will join board as space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing accelerates. August 3, 2026 los angeles biotechnology network news los angeles biotech news comments off on Varda announces biopharma leader mikael dolsten will join board as space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing accelerates. The company appoints one of biopharma's most accomplished R&D leaders to its board as it aims to produce the first pharmaceutical made in space for patients on Earth. EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Varda Space Industries announced the appointment of pharmaceutical leader...
Varda announces biopharma leader Mikael Dolsten will join board as space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing accelerates. Aug 03, 2026, 06:00 ET The company appoints one of biopharma's most accomplished R&D leaders to its board as it aims to produce the first pharmaceutical made in space for patients on Earth. EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Varda Space Industries announced the appointment of pharmaceutical leader Mikael Dolsten to its board of directors. Dolsten is one of biopharma's most accomplished R&D leaders, having served for 16 years as Chief Scientific Officer and President of Pfizer R&D, where he oversaw the approval of more than 36 medicines and vaccines and advanced more than 150 drug candidates into clinical studies. Throughout his career, Dolsten has played a leading role in translating pioneering science like Varda's into approved medicines, guiding programs from discovery through global development, regulatory approval, and commercialization. "The history of medicine is a history of manufacturing breakthroughs, from fermentation to recombinant proteins, each new environment has expanded what was possible. Varda has built the infrastructure to make orbital manufacturing reliable and repeatable, and I am excited to help translate that capability into medicines that make a difference for patients," said Varda board member Mikael Dolsten. The first space-made product for Earth will be a pharmaceutical, and Varda will be the first to utilize microgravity to deliver novel drugs to benefit patients. Due to the absence of gravity, materials such as the active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicines behave differently than they would on Earth, enabling formulations that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. The company's goal is for in-space pharmaceutical processing to become a normal, reliable part of the drug development pipeline. Varda is now the only company with the launch cadence, reentry capability, and pharmaceutical science team to bring routine space manufacturing to market. "We started Varda with the conviction that the first product manufactured in space and consumed on Earth would be a pharmaceutical," said Varda co-founder and Board Chairman Delian Asparouhov. "Mikael's decades of experience leading drug discovery and development at the highest levels will be invaluable to Varda as we move from proving out the technology to bringing space-made medicines to the market." Since its first mission in 2023, Varda has rapidly increased its flight cadence, completing multiple successful reentry missions with ten launches and reentries planned through 2027. Varda's W-series vehicles, which reach Mach 25 on their return from orbit, offer government and commercial partners a reliable, repeatable, and economical way to return materials and data from space to Earth. As launch cadence across the industry continues to increase, the ability to bring things back will become as foundational as the ability to send them up. About Varda Varda Space Industries is building the infrastructure for a thriving orbital economy, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical hypersonic reentry capsules. The company operates out of El Segundo, California with office and industrial production space and has office space in Washington, D.C. and Huntsville, Alabama. Follow Varda on X (@vardaspace), Instagram (@vardaspaceindustries), and LinkedIn. Alex Pearlman, Head of Communications and Marketing: [email protected] SOURCE Varda Space Industries Inc.
Varda Space Industries has appointed Mikael Dolsten, former Chief Scientific Officer and President of Pfizer R&D, to its board of directors. During his 16 years at Pfizer, Dolsten oversaw the approval of more than 36 medicines and vaccines and advanced over 150 drug candidates into clinical studies. Varda aims to produce the first pharmaceutical manufactured in space for patients on Earth. The company leverages microgravity to create drug formulations impossible to achieve on Earth, as materials behave differently without gravity. Since its first mission in 2023, Varda has rapidly increased its flight cadence. The company has planned ten launches and reentries through 2027, using its W-series vehicles that reach Mach 25 on return from orbit.