Mechanical Engineer Intern (Starting Summer 2027)

Dennis Group; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Dennis Group is seeking Mechanical Engineers to design and implement HVAC, plumbing/utilities, and fire suppression systems for food and beverage facilities. You will perform load calculations, system layouts, and vendor selection, collaborating with a cross-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities include drafting P&IDs, developing specifications, and supporting construction administration, with travel up to 25% to project sites and offices. A relevant degree and CAD proficiency are required.

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.
• 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 Mechanical experience in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary environments is a plus.

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.
• Develop Mechanical / Utility equipment and construction specifications
• Develop P&ID’s, equipment layout plans, plant / process utility distribution plans, and system details
• Size and develop layouts for ductwork and piping plans.
• Assist with the development of the building management system (BMS) controls, details, and plans with electrical and controls engineers.
• Create project documents such as calculations, reports, and construction drawings and specifications, etc.
• Fixture selection
• Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, and field visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per the intent of the design.
• Research mechanical / utility materials and best practices
• Support talent growth within our organization

Skills

HVAC design experience

Heat transfer

Fluid dynamics

Thermodynamics

AutoCAD

Revit

Travel willingness

GPA 3.0+

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Responsibilities

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:

• Perform heating and cooling load calculations.
• 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.
• Develop HVAC, plant utility, plumbing, and fire suppression systems.
• Assist in mechanical system design development and coordinate with other internal and external team members.
• Develop Mechanical / Utility equipment and construction specifications
• Develop P&ID’s, equipment layout plans, plant / process utility distribution plans, and system details
• Size and develop layouts for ductwork and piping plans.
• Assist with the development of the building management system (BMS) controls, details, and plans with electrical and controls engineers.
• Create project documents such as calculations, reports, and construction drawings and specifications, etc.
• Fixture selection
• Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, and field visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per the intent of the design.
• Research mechanical / utility materials and best practices
• Support talent growth within our organization

Responsibilities

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:

• 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.
• Develop Mechanical / Utility equipment and construction specifications
• Develop P&ID’s, equipment layout plans, plant / process utility distribution plans, and system details
• Size and develop layouts for ductwork and piping plans.
• Assist with the development of the building management system (BMS) controls, details, and plans with electrical and controls engineers.
• Create project documents such as calculations, reports, and construction drawings and specifications, etc.
• Fixture selection
• Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, and field visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per the intent of the design.
• Research mechanical / 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 Mechanical experience in food 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.

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.