Business Development SkillBridge Intern ( Summer 2026)

Varda•El Segundo, CA

31d

About The Position

Varda supports a diverse range of customers-from pharmaceutical companies pioneering new therapeutics in microgravity, to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied agencies leveraging our reentry vehicles for critical missions. We also partner with private industry, research institutions, and universities conducting advanced orbital and reentry R&D. As a Business Development SkillBridge Intern - Advanced Concepts, you will help identify, develop, and capture new business opportunities that expand the use of Varda's spacecraft in national security missions. You will take ownership of capture opportunities-from early engagement strategy through proposal development-working closely with Varda's engineering and program teams to shape mission concepts that align our novel architecture with DoD requirements and future space mission paradigms. Your contributions will directly accelerate U.S. capabilities in space and reentry-and help ensure Varda remains at the forefront of space innovation. This is a Intern position located in El Segundo, CA, or Washington DC.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in business, engineering, science, or related field
3+ years of DoW Service including at least 1 year of space or hypersonic aerospace relevant roles
Experience with Program Management/Mission Management for a technical aerospace project
Experience interfacing with Industry
Demonstrated interest in spaceflight, hypersonic research, and related R&D fields
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling white papers and proposals
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships
Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time (both domestic and international)
Active TS/SCI
U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to conform with U.S. Government space technology export regulations under ITAR

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in business management, strategic studies, or engineering
Engineering Background and Experience
Familiarity with DoW Program/Budget process, proposal processes, international space agency frameworks, and academic research funding cycles

Responsibilities

Identify and qualify prospective opportunities and the stakeholders, including the US Army, US Space Force, US Air Force, US Navy, Special Operations Command, Combatant Commands and others including commercial entities, that seek space and reentry capability.
Take full ownership of select solicitations, managing the process from the initial approach and proposal development through contract negotiations and closure.
Collaborate with technical and program management teams to translate customer requirements into feasible mission parameters, ensuring alignment with Varda's capabilities and strategic objectives.
Take ownership on proposals and white papers that include technical scopes, pricing models, compliance documentation, and schedules, ensuring submissions meet customer and regulatory standards.
Analyze DoW customer budget exhibits to understand program schedules, funding, milestones and procurement strategies.
Develop relationships with key stakeholders-ranging from government customers and academia to private industry leads-and maintain a steady pipeline of opportunities.
As required, represent Varda at conferences, networking events, and industry forums to engage with commercial space, academia and DoW market segments.
Monitor industry trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies keeping internal teams informed and adjusting strategies accordingly.

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)

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