Avionics Engineering Internship - Spring 2027

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 Avionics Team is responsible for all electronics on the spacecraft, ranging from flight computers, to batteries, and radios. Across the different disciplines, interns can look forward to owning a new circuit design and owning it from start to finish, allowing them to capture schematics, perform layout, manufacture, and test hardware within their internship period. Come work with the team and help design the future electronics for our Spacecraft.

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 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

• Design and test custom PCBs for embedded electronics and analog/digital systems

• Work on end-to-end development of hardware systems including schematic capture, layout, and testing

• Support embedded system development using microcontrollers and sensors

• Contribute to one or more projects; examples of previous intern projects include the following:

  • Embedded Camera System: Integrate camera + optics + microprocessor + Ethernet for use in microscopy and star trackers

  • Thermocouple Logger: Design a ground-up thermocouple logger including cold-junction compensation and coefficient generation

  • Analog TEC Controller: Develop a current-controlled Thermoelectric Cooler driver for biologics temperature control

Basic Qualifications

• Prior experience designing PCBs (printed circuit boards)

• Familiarity with microcontroller programming

• Some experience or interest in Python programming

• Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Familiarity with Altium or other PCB design tools (not required but preferred)

• Entering Junior year or later in your academic program

• Strong attention to detail and ability to debug hardware prototypes

• Previous hands-on experience in project teams or labs

Compensation

• Hourly Rate: $33.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation