System Design
Engineering support for industrial refrigeration systems that align cooling capacity, facility layout, utility demands, and operational goals for processing and cold-storage environments.
Hixson delivers industrial refrigeration engineering services for complex processing and cold-storage environments, helping manufacturers improve reliability, safety, and system performance. From concept development through commissioning, our integrated team supports refrigeration projects with practical design expertise, coordinated engineering, and a strong focus on operational efficiency, compliance, and long-term facility performance.

Integrated engineering support for refrigeration systems, utilities, controls, compliance, and facility performance in complex industrial environments.
Engineering support for industrial refrigeration systems that align cooling capacity, facility layout, utility demands, and operational goals for processing and cold-storage environments.
Controls and automation services help connect refrigeration equipment, PLCs, HMIs, and monitoring systems for safer operation, better visibility, and more consistent performance.
Process and manufacturing engineering coordinates refrigeration with production flows, chilling, freezing, storage, and utility requirements to support efficient plant operations.
Environmental, health, and safety compliance support helps refrigeration projects address permitting, risk considerations, and regulatory requirements during planning and design.
Building systems engineering integrates refrigeration needs with electrical, mechanical, and facility infrastructure for coordinated project delivery and dependable long-term operation.
Startup and commissioning support helps verify system readiness, coordinate testing, and transition refrigeration projects from design into reliable day-to-day operation.

We begin by evaluating your production requirements, storage conditions, utility demands, and operational constraints. This early discovery phase helps define refrigeration performance targets, safety priorities, and project scope before detailed engineering begins.
See how integrated engineering helps complex industrial refrigeration projects move from concept to successful operation.
Clients choose Hixson for integrated expertise, long-term experience, and disciplined project delivery.
Twenty in-house disciplines streamline coordination across refrigeration, process, controls, and facility engineering.
More than 75 years in business brings seasoned judgment to complex industrial refrigeration challenges.
Proven project management methods help reduce project risk and improve execution from planning through startup.
Great Place to Work certified with long-tenured teams that support consistent client service.
Experienced leaders supporting complex engineering 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.
Refrigeration engineers typically need a background in mechanical, chemical, electrical, or process engineering, depending on the role. Industrial projects often require experience with thermodynamics, heat transfer, controls, P&IDs, safety reviews, and applicable codes. For ammonia systems, employers also value knowledge of process safety, hazard analysis, and industrial facility coordination across utilities, production, and building systems.
Talk with Hixson about your system goals and project requirements.
Hixson supports industrial refrigeration engineering projects for clients across North America from its Greater Cincinnati base.
North America
Service Area
Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30
Business Hours
4.5★ GBP
Client Rating
Ask if Hixson can support your facility and scope.
Certified workplace culture and team excellence.
Ranked No. 178 by Interior Design.
Recognized across core industry sectors.
Share your facility goals, system requirements, or project scope, and Hixson's team will follow up to discuss the right engineering support.
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.