Senior Mechanical Engineer, HVAC & Utilities

IFAB Engineering Partners LP; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

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. This role spans HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection with emphasis on load calculations, equipment sizing, and vendor coordination.

You will lead multiple projects, perform mass energy balance calculations, and ensure code compliance while coordinating with clients and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related 4-year degree.
• 8+ years of demonstrated HVAC and utilities experience; mechanical experience in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary environments is a plus
• 8+ years of experience HVAC and/or Utilities design and specifications experience
• 8+ years of experience working with computer operations for engineering design programs and computer aided drafting (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.)
• 8+ years of experience performing calculations in areas of energy, drainage, line loss, etc.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) is a plus
• Travel to customer project sites for review, audit, and meetings, estimated 10-25%

Responsibilities

• Work independently on projects
• Work several projects simultaneously
• Execute all tasks necessary to complete the engineering on a project from design through execution
• Perform heating and cooling load calculations
• Code reviews for HVAC/plumbing/fire protection designs
• Perform mass energy balance calculations
• Perform drainage and line loss calculation
• Perform flow test (hydrant or other) analysis
• Sanitary design considerations (layouts, process exhaust)
• PID drafting & design
• Bid package: equipment and sub-contractor – bid list, scope of work, milestone schedule
• Provide cost estimation and scheduling to PMs
• Bid Review
• Peer design review
• Scheduling – MS Project
• Discipline lead for commissioning activities
• Equipment selection
• Vendor and Sub-contractor selection
• Controls functional description development
• Create mechanical schedules
• Present engineering findings to client, interfaces directly and regularly with client
• Building code familiarity, compliance & review
• Insurance carrier requirements – familiarity and review
• Vendor shop inspection / FAT
• Develop HVAC, plant utility,plumbing, and fire suppression systems
• Assist in mechanical system design development and coordinating 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, andsystem details
• Sizingand developing 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 and specifications, etc.
• Fixture selection
• Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, andfield visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per theintent of the design
• Research mechanical / utility materials and best practices
• Support talent growth within our organization
• Provide coaching and/or mentoring to a subordinate group when directed by supervisor.
• Handle complex issues and tasks with minimal supervision and advise subordinate team members on solutions to issues they encounter.

Skills

HVAC

Utilities design

Engineering calculations

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

PE license (plus)

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Posting Details

• Posted on August 3, 2026

Locations

• Carlsbad, CA 92011, USA
• On-site
• Travel Required : Yes
• Mechanical Engineering
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: MECHA001356

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

• Work independently on projects
• Work several projects simultaneously
• Execute all tasks necessary to complete the engineering on a project from design through execution
• Perform heating and cooling load calculations
• Code reviews for HVAC/plumbing/fire protection designs
• Perform mass energy balance calculations
• Perform drainage and line loss calculation
• Perform flow test (hydrant or other) analysis
• Sanitary design considerations (layouts, process exhaust)
• PID drafting & design
• Bid package: equipment and sub-contractor – bid list, scope of work, milestone schedule
• Provide cost estimation and scheduling to PMs
• Bid Review
• Peer design review
• Scheduling – MS Project
• Discipline lead for commissioning activities
• Equipment selection
• Vendor and Sub-contractor selection
• Controls functional description development
• Create mechanical schedules
• Present engineering findings to client, interfaces directly and regularly with client
• Building code familiarity, compliance & review
• Insurance carrier requirements – familiarity and review
• Vendor shop inspection / FAT
• Develop HVAC, plant utility,plumbing, and fire suppression systems
• Assist in mechanical system design development and coordinating 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, andsystem details
• Sizingand developing 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
• Perform construction administration in the form of submittal reviews, RFI responses, andfield visits to verify construction scope is proceeding per theintent of the design
• Research mechanical / utility materials and best practices
• Support talent growth within our organization
• Provide coaching and/or mentoring to a subordinate group when directed by supervisor.
• Handle complex issues and tasks with minimal supervision and advise subordinate team members on solutions to issues they encounter.

Required Education Skills and Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related 4-year degree
• 8+ years of demonstrated HVAC and utilities experience; mechanical experience in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary environments is a plus
• 8+ years of experience HVAC and/or Utilities design and specifications experience
• 8+ years of experience working with computer operations for engineering design programs and computer aided drafting (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.)
• 8+ years of experience performing calculations in areas of energy, drainage, line loss, etc.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) is a plus
• Travel to customer project sites for review, audit, and meetings, estimated 10-25%

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

• 30-50% 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.

Travel Required

Yes . 30-50% travel required to visit project site 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.