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Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Internship – Summer 2026

El Segundo, California, United States

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. 

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 (coming soon).

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

 

About This Role 

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) ensures all operations at Varda are performed safely and effectively, without harming the environment.  The EHS team is responsible for proactively identifying and mitigating physical, chemical, operational, and other hazards across Varda’s spacecraft and pharmaceutical development and production processes. 

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 

  • Lead Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) across engineering, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical operations to identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and collaborate with teams to implement effective controls. 
  • Drive safe handling of hazardous chemicals through the Hazard Communication (HazCom) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programs 
  • Maintain environmental compliance by guiding departments in the proper accumulation and disposal of hazardous waste 
  • Conduct regular maintenance and inspection of safety systems and equipment (e.g., emergency eyewashes and showers, fire extinguishers, fire alarm and suppression systems) 
  • Assist with emergency preparedness and response procedures (e.g., site emergency action plan, emergency drills, first aid/CPR/AED training) 

Basic Qualifications 

  • Currently pursuing a degree in occupational safety & health, environmental engineering/safety, or related field 
  • Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities independently, in a fast-paced work environment 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulatory EHS standards (e.g., Cal/OSHA, Cal/EPA, RCRA, SCAQMD, DOT, CA Fire Code) 
  • Hands-on experience with conducting risk assessments and implementing safety control measures 
  • Prior EHS-related internship or project experience in an engineering or laboratory setting 

Additional Details and Compensation 

    • This is a full-time on-site role based in El Segundo, CA 

 

 

ITAR Requirements

  • Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.  Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than “U.S. Persons” as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license. 

    “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)

     Learn more about the ITAR here.  

Benefits

  • Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
  • Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
  • 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
  • Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
  • Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
  • Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week. 
  • Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

 

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance.  We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

 

 

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

 

E-Verify Notice                                                               Right To Work Notice

Read more                                                                             Read more

 

 

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