Applications Engineering Internship - Spring 2027

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. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses. 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. Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem. About This Role Spring internships will range between the months of January and May. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in El Segundo, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. The Applications Engineer role focuses on the connectivity of systems, data, and processes that power Varda's operations. Applications Engineers build and maintain integrations between enterprise platforms (ERP, PLM, HRIS), develop data pipelines, and create internal tools that improve operations. The work spans data modeling, workflow automation, light software development, and partnering directly with the teams whose processes the applications support. 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 the 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 Develop dashboards, reports, and metrics that surface operational data to stakeholders across the company. Partner with users in engineering, supply chain, finance, and operations to gather requirements and translate them into technical solutions. Document data sources, workflows, and integrations so they can be maintained and improved. Support the rollout, configuration, and troubleshooting of internal applications. Basic Qualifications Pursuing a degree in computer science, information systems, data science, engineering, or a related field. Applicable experience with SQL, Python, or low-code/ETL tools. Preferred Skills And Experience Familiarity with enterprise systems (ERP, PLM, CRM, HRIS) or data integration tools (Alteryx, dbt, Power BI) Comfort working across the full stack of a data problem sourcing, modeling, transforming, and presenting Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to gather requirements from non-technical stakeholders Compensation Hourly Rate: $33.00 Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area Commuter benefit to support local transportation Benefits Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well‑being, and a high‑quality workp…