EHS Intern in El Segundo, CA

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. Varda's W-Series vehicles are designed, built, and operated in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

Some of the products used on Earth today, from life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, can only be manufactured in space. Varda is building both the products and the infrastructure needed so space can benefit life on Earth. Its mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

The team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov and is backed by investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, with offices and a production facility where its vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. It also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

About This Role

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) makes sure all Varda operations are carried out safely and without harming the environment. The EHS team proactively identifies and mitigates physical, chemical, operational, and other hazards across Varda's spacecraft and pharmaceutical development and production processes.

Varda internships suit students who want to grow technically and professionally on impactful projects. Interns work on collaborative teams in a startup environment and learn from some of the most experienced aerospace professionals in the world. The program is designed so 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 work with teams to put effective controls in place.
• Drive safe handling of hazardous chemicals through the Hazard Communication (HazCom) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programs.
• Maintain environmental compliance by guiding departments on the proper accumulation and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Conduct regular maintenance and inspection of safety systems and equipment, such as emergency eyewashes and showers, fire extinguishers, and fire alarm and suppression systems.
• Assist with emergency preparedness and response procedures, such as the site emergency action plan, emergency drills, and first aid, CPR, and AED training.

Basic Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in occupational safety & health, environmental engineering/safety, or a 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 conducting risk assessments and implementing safety control measures.
• Prior EHS-related internship or project experience in an engineering or laboratory setting.

Additional Details

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