Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Internship - Summer 2027

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. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our 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).