Mechanisms and Payload Internship - Fall 2026

Join Varda Space Industries as a Mechanisms and Payload Intern for the Fall 2026 session. This unique opportunity allows you to work on cutting-edge aerospace technology, contributing to the development of innovative space solutions. You will collaborate with our dynamic engineering team, engaging in hands-on projects that advance our mission to revolutionize space manufacturing.

Join VardaSpace as a Mechanical Engineering Intern for Fall 2026 and immerse yourself in a pioneering company at the forefront of space manufacturing. This internship presents a unique opportunity to work alongside seasoned engineers on cutting-edge projects that aim to revolutionize space technology.

Join vardaspace as a Mission Operations Intern for Fall 2026, where you will have the opportunity to engage in groundbreaking space operations and contribute to missions that truly matter. This internship is designed for aspiring professionals who are eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.

Join vardaspace as an Automation & Test Intern for the Fall 2026 semester. This exciting opportunity offers you the chance to work alongside experienced professionals in a dynamic environment, where you will assist in developing and executing automated tests, as well as contribute to enhancing our testing frameworks.

Join vardaspace as a Mission Software Intern this Fall 2026! This is a unique opportunity for aspiring software developers to gain hands-on experience in Python programming while contributing to meaningful projects. You will work closely with experienced professionals, engage in real-world applications, and enhance your coding skills in a collaborative environment.

About VardaLow Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is at the forefront of developing commercial space infrastructure, facilitating everything from in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing to economical reentry capsules.We create life-saving pharmaceuticals and advanced fiber optics that can only be produced in space. By pioneering innovation in the orbital economy, Varda is establishing both the products and infrastructure needed for space to directly enhance life on Earth. Our mission is to extend the economic boundaries of humanity.Our talented team, composed of industry veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical firms, and Silicon Valley, is uniquely positioned to achieve this ambitious goal. Varda was established in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov, with considerable support from top-tier investors such as Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.Headquartered in El Segundo, California, Varda operates from a state-of-the-art production facility where we design, integrate, and test our vehicles, equipment, and materials. In addition, we maintain offices in Washington, DC, and Huntsville, AL.Join us at Varda and contribute to building a vibrant in-space ecosystem.About This RoleFall internships will take place between August and December. All dates depend on the university schedule of selected candidates. Internships are full-time and on-site.

About VardaPioneering the Commercial Space Frontier. Varda is at the forefront of developing commercial space infrastructure, ranging from in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing to cost-effective reentry capsules.With innovative products such as life-saving pharmaceuticals and advanced fiber optics, Varda is reshaping the orbital economy to yield tangible benefits for life on Earth. Our mission is to push the limits of humanity's economic potential through space.Our talented team is composed of experts from SpaceX, Blue Origin, leading pharmaceutical firms, and Silicon Valley, all driven by the vision of founders Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov since January 2021. We are supported by prestigious investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and General Catalyst.Headquartered in El Segundo, California, our production facility is where we design, build, and test our vehicles, equipment, and materials. We also have offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.Join us at Varda to help create a thriving ecosystem in space.About This RoleAs a Mechanisms Engineer on Varda’s Payload team, you will design and develop advanced electromechanical flight hardware that operates in the harsh conditions of orbit, withstands hypersonic reentry, and returns to Earth for assessment and refinement. You will take complete ownership of payloads for both pharmaceutical production and hypersonic reentry testing, guiding projects from concept through assembly, testing, launch, and recovery.

Role Overview Varda Space Industries is hiring a Senior Mechanisms Engineer focused on payload systems in El Segundo, California. This role leads the design, development, and testing of mechanisms that enable advanced payloads for space applications. What You Will Do Design, develop, and test mechanisms that support complex payloads Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to integrate mechanical systems Help ensure payload mechanisms meet quality and performance requirements

Varda Space Industries builds commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing and reentry capsules designed for cost efficiency. The company specializes in products enabled by microgravity, such as advanced fiber optics and pharmaceuticals, aiming to bring the benefits of space manufacturing to people on Earth. Founded in 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov, Varda’s team draws on backgrounds from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical firms, and Silicon Valley. The company is supported by Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, and Founders Fund. Headquarters and production are based in El Segundo, California, with offices in Washington, DC, and Huntsville, Alabama. Role overview The Lead Principal Mechanisms Engineer for Payloads leads the design and development of complex electromechanical flight hardware. This hardware must operate reliably in orbit, withstand hypersonic reentry, and return to Earth for further analysis and development. This position shapes the payload architecture for missions focused on pharmaceutical manufacturing and hypersonic reentry testbeds. The engineer guides projects from initial concept through detailed design, ensuring mission requirements are met throughout each stage.

Role overview The Director of Mechanisms Engineering at Varda Space Industries will guide the design and development of mechanical systems for pharmaceutical payloads. This position requires leadership in advancing mechanical solutions within an aerospace environment, with a focus on supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing and research in space. What you will do Lead and mentor engineering teams dedicated to mechanisms for pharmaceutical payloads Oversee the integration of advanced mechanical systems into payload designs Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support project delivery and achieve technical objectives Location This role is based in El Segundo, California, United States.

Join Varda Space Industries as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern for the Fall 2026 semester! This exciting opportunity allows you to work alongside industry professionals in a dynamic environment focused on space manufacturing technologies. You will gain hands-on experience, contribute to innovative projects, and enhance your engineering skills while working on real-world challenges in the aerospace sector.

Join VardaSpace as a Supply Chain Intern for Fall 2026! This is an exciting opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the dynamic field of supply chain management. You will work closely with our experienced team to support various supply chain processes, from procurement to logistics.This internship provides a unique chance to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting, contribute to innovative projects, and develop valuable skills in the aerospace industry.

Join Varda Space Industries as a Propulsion Engineering Intern for the Fall 2026 semester. This exciting internship opportunity will immerse you in the cutting-edge field of propulsion systems, where you will collaborate with a team of experienced engineers and contribute to innovative projects that are pushing the boundaries of space technology.

Join Varda Space as an Aerodynamics & Analysis Intern for Fall 2026 and immerse yourself in a cutting-edge aerospace environment. You will collaborate with a dynamic team of engineers and scientists, contributing to vital projects that push the boundaries of aerodynamics research.

Join Vardaspace as a Vehicle Integration & Test Intern for the Fall 2026 semester! This exciting opportunity allows you to gain hands-on experience in the dynamic field of vehicle systems integration and testing. Collaborate with a team of experts, contribute to innovative projects, and enhance your skills in a fast-paced environment.

Join vardaspace as a Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Intern for the Fall 2026 semester! This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the aerospace industry, working alongside seasoned professionals on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of space exploration. You will gain hands-on experience, contribute to innovative solutions, and develop your skills in a collaborative environment.

Join Radiant Industries as a passionate and driven Mechanical Engineer in Fluid Systems - 2026 New Graduate within our KDU Engineering team. You will play a pivotal role in the design, assembly, and testing of the Kaleidos Development Unit (KDU) – marking the United States’ first new fueled reactor design in over half a century. This is your chance to take ownership of significant projects that drive KDU’s readiness for fueled operations while collaborating with a diverse team of engineers.Key ResponsibilitiesParticipate actively in the design, analysis, and testing of fluid subsystems for the KDU.Take full ownership of deliverables from initial concept through to build and validation, with mentorship from senior engineers.Work collaboratively across disciplines to integrate designs and solve technical challenges.Assist in system-level testing, troubleshooting, and iterative design processes to expedite KDU development.Effectively communicate results through design reviews, technical reports, and presentations to team members and leadership.Required Skills and QualificationsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (completed or expected by Spring 2026).Strong grounding in engineering fundamentals, particularly in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.Hands-on experience in design and construction through projects, research, lab work, or internships.Proficiency with engineering tools such as CAD, analysis software, and laboratory instrumentation.Preferred Skills and QualificationsMaster's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline (completed or currently pursuing).Relevant internship, co-op, or project experience pertaining to fluid systems.Ability to independently tackle complex engineering challenges and proactively seek resources.Adept at thriving in a dynamic, startup environment with a collaborative, mission-oriented approach.Genuine enthusiasm for Radiant’s mission to swiftly deploy nuclear microreactors in remote areas requiring sustainable, clean energy.Familiarity with reactor physics is advantageous but not mandatory.Additional InformationThis position is located on-site at Radiant’s headquarters in El Segundo, California.

Location: El Segundo, CA | Department: Engineering | Employment Type: Intern-Fulltime Onsite | Start: ImmediateJoin Rainmaker as we revolutionize cloud seeding technology to combat water scarcity and adverse weather conditions. Our team integrates cutting-edge radar validation, durable unmanned aerial systems (UAS), advanced numerical weather modeling, and eco-friendly cloud seeding materials to deliver impactful precipitation enhancement solutions.As an intern within our Engineering team, you will engage with innovative projects related to our UAS, payload dispersion systems, and both in-situ and remote sensing technologies. This is a remarkable opportunity for you to thrive in a dynamic environment where your contributions will have a direct influence on our operational achievements. In this role, you will work closely with the Lead Mechanical Engineer and assist in developing critical subsystems for our UAS platform, enabling you to gain hands-on experience and insight into the engineering processes that drive our mission.

Rainmaker builds cloud seeding technology aimed at tackling water scarcity and unpredictable weather. The company’s approach brings together radar validation, weather-hardened unmanned aerial systems (UAS), advanced weather modeling, and environmentally friendly cloud seeding materials to form a full precipitation enhancement system. The Mechanical Engineering Intern will join the engineering team in El Segundo, CA. This position works hands-on with UAS, payload dispersion systems, and both in-situ and remote sensing equipment. Reporting to the Lead Mechanical Engineer, the intern will help develop essential subsystems for Rainmaker’s UAS platform, directly supporting operational and mission objectives. What you will do Hardware prototyping: Design and build working prototypes for UAS subsystems. Update and refine designs based on results from flight tests and mission requirements. Test fixture design: Assist in conceptualizing, designing, building, and running test fixtures to evaluate prototype components. Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Collaborate with mechanical engineers to define loading and boundary conditions, set up and run FEA studies, and confirm results. Documentation: Prepare technical documentation and generate fabrication and assembly data for manufacturing partners. Collaboration: Work with electrical and software engineers, along with other team members, to deliver integrated solutions.

Senior Mechanisms EngineerRadiant Industries is on the lookout for a dynamic and experienced Senior Mechanisms Engineer to spearhead the design and development of essential mechanisms within the innovative Kaleidos project. In this role, you will tackle unique engineering challenges to create efficient and dependable mechanisms that govern reactivity and activate critical safety features. Your responsibilities will encompass trade studies, material selection, in-depth structural analysis, assembly, integration, and rigorous testing. Your contributions will be vital in propelling the introduction of the first new commercial reactor design in over five decades by the year 2026.Key Responsibilities:Lead the design and development of crucial mechanisms such as control blade actuators and air jacket valves.Conduct comprehensive trade studies and formulate designs that align with program requirements.Execute detailed thermomechanical analysis (including static strength and durability/fatigue) and kinematic analysis to assess structural integrity and performance margins using both hand calculations and finite element analysis tools.Develop and implement manufacturing and assembly instructions along with test plans.Create and oversee a Bill of Materials (BOM).Identify and cultivate relationships with suppliers for necessary components.Manage schedules for subassembly design, manufacturing, and testing.Conduct risk analysis (FMEA) for subsystems.Gather requirements and provide insights to engineers across other functional areas through effective communication.Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering from an accredited institution.A minimum of 4 years of experience in mechanism design.Over 4 years of experience conducting stress analysis utilizing both hand calculations and finite element tools (such as Abaqus, Ansys, FEMAP, or equivalent).Desired Skills:Proficient in the design of multi-component assemblies using CAD software (NX or similar).Experience in designing hardware that underwent manufacturing, deployment, and iterative improvements.Familiarity with pneumatic system design.Knowledge in integrating electromechanical components such as motors or encoders.