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Internship Payload Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astranis

Antenna Intern (Fall 2026)

San Francisco, CA

Antenna Intern (Fall 2026) Internships at Astranis typically last for twelve weeks, and are hourly ... As an Antenna Intern, you will work closely with mechanical, thermal, and payload system engineers ...

BTAS

UAS Hardware Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$115K - $151K/yr

Support payload integration and testing activities involving ISR, RF, EW, or mission-specific ... Internship, research, capstone project, or laboratory experience may be considered toward relevant ...

Sparton Corporation

$13.50 - $18.25/hr

... payload delivery capabilities. Job Summary The IT intern will assist the IT team in a variety of ... Liaison with Purchasing Required Education and Experience Sparton interns must meet the following ...

Sparton Corporation

IT Internship

De Leon Springs, FL

$12.50 - $16.75/hr

... payload delivery capabilities. Job Summary The IT intern will assist the IT team in a variety of ... Liaison with Purchasing Required Education and Experience Sparton interns must meet the following ...

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Internship Payload information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Payload Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Payload Intern, you generally need a background in engineering, physics, or a related STEM field, alongside strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and programming languages like Python or MATLAB is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills that set candidates apart. These abilities ensure accurate payload design, smooth collaboration, and successful project execution in aerospace or related industries.

What are Internship Payload positions?

Internship Payload positions are entry-level internships focused on supporting the design, development, testing, or integration of payload systems in aerospace, satellite, or similar engineering fields. These roles typically involve hands-on work with payload hardware or software, data analysis, and collaboration with engineering teams to ensure mission requirements are met. Interns in these positions gain valuable experience in real-world aerospace projects, working closely with experienced professionals and learning about the challenges and technologies of payload systems.

What kind of projects or tasks can an intern expect to work on in a Payload Internship?

As a Payload Intern, you can expect to contribute to a variety of hands-on projects that support the design, integration, and testing of payload systems, such as satellites, scientific instruments, or cargo modules. Typical responsibilities may include assisting with hardware assembly, conducting data analysis from test results, documenting procedures, and collaborating with engineers to troubleshoot issues. You'll often work within a multidisciplinary team, gaining exposure to both technical and project management aspects. This role offers the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain insight into the full lifecycle of payload development.

What is the difference between Internship Payload vs Data Analyst?

AspectInternship PayloadData Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate, some technical skillsBachelor's degree in related field, technical skills often required
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused, temporaryFull-time, professional, ongoing
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs across industries, educational institutionsBusiness, finance, healthcare, tech companies
Search & Comparison IntentLearning, entry-level opportunities, career explorationCareer development, skill enhancement, job search

Internship Payload is an entry-level, temporary position aimed at gaining experience, often for students or recent graduates. Data Analyst roles are more permanent, requiring specific skills and credentials, focusing on analyzing data to support business decisions. While both involve working with data, the internship is a stepping stone, whereas the Data Analyst position is a professional career role.

More about Internship Payload jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Payload jobs? Cities with the most Internship Payload job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Payload jobs? The most popular types of Payload jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Payload jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Payload jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Internship Payload jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Internship Payload jobs are:
Internship Payload jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Payload job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Internship. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Principal Mechanisms Engineer - Payloads

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

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.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About this Role
As a Principal Mechanisms Engineer on Varda's Payload team, you will define and lead the development of complex electromechanical flight hardware that operates in orbit, endures hypersonic reentry, and returns to Earth for inspection and iteration. You will shape payload architecture across pharmaceutical manufacturing and hypersonic reentry testbed missions-guiding systems from early concept through detailed design, integration, testing, launch, and recovery. You'll work closely with internal leadership and external partners, translating mission needs into engineering strategy and technical direction. This role is ideal for engineers with deep mechanical expertise and broad cross-disciplinary insight who want to influence system architecture, lead multi-mission efforts, and mentor engineers while delivering complex hardware on rapid flight timelines.
Responsibilities
  • Define architecture, requirements, and development plans for multi-payload or multi-mission systems
  • Lead complex mechanism and electromechanical subsystem design efforts
  • Drive system-level analyses, trade studies, and risk reduction using a variety of tools (hand calcs, python/matlab models, FEA, etc. as needed)
  • Lead cross-functional project teams across avionics, software, thermal, systems, integration
  • Represent Varda to senior internal leadership and external partners
  • Drive subsystem requirements, ICDs, verification plans, and documentation
  • Lead build, integration, testing, mission operations, recovery, and anomaly resolution
  • Guide lessons-learned processes and influence payload development cycles
  • Mentor senior and entry-level engineers and shape best practices
Basic Qualifications
  • BS/BEng in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience designing, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting electromechanical hardware
  • Deep mechanical expertise with breadth in at least two adjacent disciplines (avionics, software, thermal, optics, test, etc.)
  • Track record leading teams through full cycle electromechanical space flight hardware development
  • Experience communicating with diverse technical and executive audiences, both internal and external
Preferred Skills And Experience
  • 3+ years of cross-functional project leadership experience
  • Significant experience planning and executing aerospace environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, EMI/EMC)
  • Experience leading government-facing technical programs
  • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance
Pay Range
  • Salary range: $180,000 - $230,000/per year
  • This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA
  • Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
  • You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits
Varda offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, financial well-being, and a high-quality workplace experience. Below is an overview of what full-time employees receive (at this time, interns receive a subset of benefits):
Health & Wellness
  • Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
  • 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
  • Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
  • $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
  • 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
  • Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
  • Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement
  • Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
  • 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
  • $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
  • Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks
  • 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
  • Dog-friendly office space

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.)
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
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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.

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