Pharma Design
Design support for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities with cGMP-focused planning, multidisciplinary coordination, and project leadership from URS development through detailed design.
Hixson delivers integrated pharmaceutical manufacturing facility design for Philadelphia projects, combining cGMP planning, engineering, and compliance support. From early site strategy through detailed design, our team helps create efficient, scalable spaces built for quality, safety, and long-term performance in a region where regulatory precision and reliable operations matter.

Integrated planning, engineering, and compliance services for pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing environments.
Design support for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities with cGMP-focused planning, multidisciplinary coordination, and project leadership from URS development through detailed design.
Long-range facility planning that aligns production goals, phased growth, utilities, and operational flow to support efficient pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion.
Process and manufacturing engineering services that translate production requirements into equipment layouts, utility needs, P&IDs, and coordinated project deliverables.
Controls and automation engineering for pharmaceutical operations, including system definition, network design, programming, testing, startup, and commissioning support.
Building systems engineering that integrates architectural and technical disciplines to support reliable facility performance, environmental control, and coordinated execution.
Environmental, health, safety, and permitting support to help pharmaceutical projects address compliance requirements and reduce risk during planning and execution.

We begin by clarifying production targets, quality requirements, user needs, and operational constraints. This early alignment helps shape a practical URS and supports smoother decision-making for Philadelphia-area stakeholders, investors, and project teams.
See how integrated design expertise supports complex manufacturing and science-focused facility projects.
Clients choose Hixson for integrated expertise, long-term experience, and disciplined project delivery.
Hixson brings 75+ years of design experience, including long-standing cGMP space expertise.
Twenty in-house disciplines streamline coordination, reducing risk on complex Philadelphia pharmaceutical facility projects.
EH&S, permitting, and technical planning help address regulated manufacturing needs with greater confidence.
Proven methodologies support efficient execution for expansions, retrofits, and new builds across the Philadelphia region.
Experienced leaders guiding complex facility design programs.

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.
A pharmaceutical manufacturing plant layout is organized around safe material flow, personnel movement, cGMP zoning, and contamination control. It typically includes receiving, storage, dispensing, production, packaging, quality spaces, utilities, and support areas arranged to reduce cross-traffic and improve efficiency. Good layout design also plans for maintenance access, future expansion, and clear separation between clean and non-clean functions.
Talk with our team about your facility goals and requirements.
Hixson supports pharmaceutical manufacturing facility design projects across Philadelphia and broader North American markets.
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Recognized by Interior Design magazine.
Top firm recognition across core sectors.
Share your project goals, timeline, and facility requirements, and our team will follow up to discuss the 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.