Process Engineering
Develop manufacturing processes, equipment layouts, utility requirements, P&IDs, and startup support for complex GMP projects with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and long-term performance.
Hixson delivers integrated GMP facility design and process engineering services that help manufacturers plan smarter, reduce project risk, and move from concept through startup with confidence. With 75+ years of experience and deep cGMP expertise, the team supports compliant, efficient environments for pharma, biotech, food, and other regulated operations across North America.

Integrated planning, design, and engineering services for compliant, efficient GMP facilities and manufacturing operations.
Develop manufacturing processes, equipment layouts, utility requirements, P&IDs, and startup support for complex GMP projects with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and long-term performance.
Design and implement controls systems, PLC programming, HMI development, network architecture, and commissioning support to improve visibility, consistency, and operational control in GMP environments.
Create cGMP-ready pharmaceutical and biotech spaces with multidisciplinary support from URS definition through design, helping clients align facility performance with regulatory and production goals.
Build a strategic roadmap for facility growth, phased investments, and operational improvements so GMP projects can scale efficiently while supporting future production demands.
Coordinate critical building systems engineering to support reliable facility performance, environmental control, and integration between architectural, mechanical, electrical, and process requirements.
Support environmental, health, and safety compliance and permitting needs as part of an integrated design approach for regulated facilities and manufacturing operations.

The project begins by clarifying business objectives, production targets, compliance expectations, and user requirements. Hixson works with stakeholders to establish a strong foundation that aligns facility design, process needs, and long-term operational goals.
See how integrated expertise supports complex regulated facility and process engineering projects.
Clients choose Hixson for integrated expertise, long-term reliability, and disciplined project execution.
Hixson brings 75+ years of architecture and engineering experience across regulated manufacturing environments.
Twenty in-house technical disciplines streamline coordination between facility design, process engineering, and project delivery.
Teams understand cGMP expectations and support compliant design decisions from planning through startup.
Hixson works as an extension of client teams to reduce risk and improve outcomes.
Experienced leaders guiding complex facility projects.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering
John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering
As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

Manager, Process Engineering
Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

Manager, Civil Engineering
In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services
Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

Manager, Mechanical Engineering
Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

Manager, Electrical Engineering
Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

Director of Architecture
Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.
These services typically include facility planning, process flow development, equipment layout, utility coordination, building systems engineering, controls integration, compliance support, and startup assistance. Hixson provides an integrated approach that connects architecture, engineering, and process requirements so regulated manufacturers can move from concept through commissioning with better coordination and fewer project gaps.
Talk with Hixson about your facility goals and requirements.
Certified culture focused on team excellence.
Recognized by Interior Design magazine.
Top firm recognition across core sectors.
Share your project goals, facility requirements, or process challenges, and Hixson's team will help you explore the right next steps.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.