Thermal Engineering Internship - Summer 2027

The role

You will work on the vehicle thermal analysis model to generate temperature predictions for tests and missions. You may also run tests to verify model predictions, create data post-processing tools, and design thermal hardware for the flight vehicle.

What you will do

• Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns including setup, execution, and data collection
• Contribute to thermal models for spacecraft components and systems using tools like Thermal Desktop and ANSYS
• Analyze flight and ground test thermal data using Python and MATLAB
• Design, procure, test, and validate thermal hardware
• Support integration and test (I&T) activities related to thermal components and subsystems
• Collaborate with systems and mechanical teams to ensure thermal requirements are met

Required qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline
• Completed coursework in Heat Transfer
• Completed coursework in Thermodynamics
• Completed coursework in Fluid Mechanics
• Completed coursework in Data processing
• Experience or coursework using thermal analysis software (e.g., Thermal Desktop, Ansys, Star CCM)
• Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, AutoCAD, PTC, or similar)
• Comfortable with data analysis in MATLAB and Python
• Prior thermal internship, lab, project team, or rigorous school project experience relevant to heat transfer/thermal

Nice to have

• Prior thermal internship experience in aerospace
• Hardware procurement, build, and testing experience
• Familiarity with spacecraft testing environments or aerospace systems
• Experience working on a student design or competition team (e.g., rocketry, CubeSat, Formula SAE)
• Leadership experience (demonstrated communication, organization, problem solving)

Benefits

• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation
• Paid observed holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible
• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Before you apply

• Must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program
• Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual)

About the company

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California.