Mechanical Engineer Intern (Starting Summer 2027)

IFAB Engineering Partners LP; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Dennis Group is seeking a Mechanical Engineer intern/entry-level candidate in Carlsbad, CA. The role focuses on HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection system design within a larger engineering team for food and beverage facilities.

Responsibilities include load calculations, code reviews, and developing construction documents while collaborating with internal and external teams. Travel around 25% is expected for project sites.

Qualifications

• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• HVAC and/or Utilities design experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform heating and cooling load calculations.
• Perform code reviews for HVAC/plumbing/fire protection designs.
• Perform mass energy balance calculations.
• Create mechanical schedules and project documents.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams on design development.

Skills

HVAC design

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

Thermodynamics

AutoCAD

Revit

Education

Bachelor's in mechanical engineering

Tools

Engineering design software

Job description

Job Details

Posting Details

• Posted on August 21, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA

• On-site
• Pay or shift range: $22 USD to $23 USD
• The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
• New Grad, Co-Ops & Interns
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: MECHA001454

Description

Dennis Group’s Mechanical Engineers design and implement mechanical systems as part of a broad engineering and architectural team in designing and building food and beverage production facilities. Specifically, HVAC, plumbing / utility, and fire suppression systems. Our mechanical team is involved with designing the mechanical systems, calculating space heat and cooling loads, determining and selecting equipment sizes, and vetting and selecting suitable vendors, suppliers, and sub-contractors. Mechanical Engineers will have technical responsibility for scoping, performing, and delivering multiple concurrent project assignments. You will be a member of our mechanical department and your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Responsibilities

• Perform heating and cooling load calculations.
• Perform code reviews for HVAC/plumbing/fire protection designs.
• Perform mass energy balance calculations.
• Perform drainage and line loss calculations.
• Perform flow test (hydrant or other) analysis.
• Sanitary design considerations (layouts, process exhaust).
• PID Drafting.
• Bid packages: equipment and sub-contractor – bid list, scope of work, milestone schedule.
• Create mechanical schedules.
• Vendor shop inspection / FAT.
• Develop HVAC, plant utility, plumbing, and fire suppression systems.
• Assist in mechanical system design development and coordinate with other internal and external team members.
• DevelopMechanical / Utility equipment and construction specifications
• DevelopP&ID’s, equipment layout plans, plant / process utility distribution plans, andsystem details
• Sizeand develop layouts for ductwork and piping plans.
• Assist with the development of thebuilding management system (BMS) controls, details, and plans withelectrical and controls engineers.
• Create project documents such as calculations, reports, and construction drawings andspecifications, etc.
• Fixture selection
• Performconstruction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, andfield visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per theintent of the design.
• Researchmechanical / utility materials and best practices
• Support talent growth within our organization

About You

• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• HVAC and/or Utilities design experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics
• Experience working with computer operations for engineering design programs and computer aided drafting is preferable (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.).
• Understanding of the fundamental basics of performing calculations in areas of energy, drainage, line loss, etc.
• Past Mechanicalexperience infood and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary environments is a plus.
• Have a motivated and results orientated attitude.
• Willing to travel to project sites – 25%
• GPA: 3.0 or above

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift-up to 15 pounds at times.

Travel Requirement

• 10-25% travel required to visit project site and other offices.

About Us

We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.

Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• Paid time off including an open vacation policy
• Bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans

Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.