V

Varda Space

In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services

Mission Operations Intern - Summer 2027

Summer 2027Posted on 10/1/2026
$37/hr+ Housing stipend + Commuter benefit + Relocation support + Commute credit
Internship
Bachelor's
El Segundo, CA, USA
In PersonInternships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, California.
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • Full-stack coding experience with web development languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, C, C++, and nginx.
  • Experience deploying, executing, and debugging server-based applications.
  • Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • Coursework in Python programming, full-stack development, and orbital mechanics; a computer science and aerospace background is preferred.
  • Experience building scalable web applications.
  • Understanding of software data management and scaling techniques.
  • Experience applying code to aerospace systems or complex, high-reliability environments.
  • Familiarity with continuous integration pipelines and Linux environments.
  • Must be a U.S. person permitted to access the company's export-controlled technology without an export license; qualifying statuses include U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Responsibilities
  • Operate as an integrated member of the Mission Operations team.
  • Own the full-stack development life cycle of internal tools used in spacecraft and payload operations.
  • Develop, test, and deploy web-based applications to support automation and scalability as mission cadence increases.
  • Contribute to system verification, infrastructure integration, and debugging of mission-critical code.
  • Collaborate across engineering teams to build and implement the first use cases of the tools.
  • Support mission operations in real time as code is deployed in live spaceflight environments.
Desired Qualifications
  • Previous internship, co-op, or real-world development experience.
  • Hands-on project team experience, such as CubeSat, Solar Car, or Formula SAE.

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

$609.5M

Headquarters

El Segundo, California

Founded

2020

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The September 30, 2026 Series D raised $251 million and lifted capital to $598 million.
  • Mikael Dolsten joined the board on August 3, 2026, strengthening drug-development credibility.
  • Varda expects nine commercial reentries by year-end, expanding data and customer throughput.

What critics are saying

  • Bruey said first patient dosing will not happen before 2030.
  • Government payloads still underwrite Varda's hardware, so pharma demand alone does not fund growth.
  • If microgravity formulations fail, Varda becomes a reentry testbed, not a pharma company.

What makes Varda Space unique

  • Varda launched W-8 and W-9 together on Transporter-18 on October 1, 2026.
  • Its May 13, 2026 United Therapeutics deal ties microgravity science to real pharma demand.
  • Six successful reentries since 2024 create a rare operational moat for orbital manufacturing.

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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

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 0%

1 year growth

↓ -4%

2 year growth

↓ -5%
PR Newswire
Oct 1st, 2026
Varda Space launches two spacecraft on single rocket, enters fleet operations phase

Varda Space Industries has launched two spacecraft on a single rocket for the first time, marking a shift to fleet operations. The company's W-8 and W-9 vehicles lifted off aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Both spacecraft carry payloads from government and commercial partners. W-8 hosts Canopy Aerospace & Defense's heat shield monitoring system and thermal protection materials funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory. W-9 carries a hypersonic navigation system and advanced heatshield materials from Syensqo. Varda has safely reentered six capsules since 2024. The dual launch demonstrates the company's increasing mission cadence as it scales orbital pharmaceutical processing and hypersonic reentry operations. The vehicles will be managed from Varda's expanded Mission Operations facility in El Segundo.

PR Newswire
Sep 30th, 2026
Varda Announces $251 Million Series D to Scale Space-Based Pharmaceutical Processing

/PRNewswire/ -- Varda Space Industries announced a Series D fundraising round today, bringing the total amount of capital raised by the microgravity-enabled...

PR Newswire
Sep 22nd, 2026
Varda Space appoints CRO and CFO to scale orbital pharmaceutical operations

Varda Space Industries has appointed Steve Layne as chief revenue officer and Aaron Huber as chief financial officer. The appointments aim to accelerate growth in pharmaceutical and defence markets as the company scales operations. Layne brings over 30 years of defence programme experience, most recently serving as vice president and deputy general manager for Strategic and Missile Defence Systems at LM Space. He previously led hypersonic initiatives at Lockheed Martin. Huber has nearly two decades of experience in deep-tech and capital markets, including a $1.6 billion NYSE listing and multiple acquisitions. Varda has completed six successful launch and return missions and aims to deliver the world's first commercial pharmaceutical product manufactured in low Earth orbit. The company plans nine commercial reentries by year-end.

SBIR.gov
Sep 13th, 2026
Awards | SBIR

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Custom Map Poster
Aug 30th, 2026
SpaceX Starfall Capsule launch: unlocking the secrets of space manufacturing (2026).

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.