Pharma Design
Design solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities with cGMP-focused planning, multi-disciplinary coordination, and support from URS definition through detailed design development.
Hixson delivers integrated pharmaceutical facility design services that help manufacturers plan, engineer, and optimize cGMP environments from early requirements through detailed design. Backed by 75+ years of architecture and engineering experience, our team supports safer workflows, cleaner operations, and scalable facilities built for compliance, efficiency, and long-term performance.

Integrated planning, engineering, and consulting services for compliant, efficient pharmaceutical and biotech facilities.
Design solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities with cGMP-focused planning, multi-disciplinary coordination, and support from URS definition through detailed design development.
Long-range facility planning that aligns production goals, expansion needs, utilities, and site constraints to support phased growth and smarter capital decisions.
Process and manufacturing engineering services that translate operational requirements into practical layouts, equipment strategies, utility needs, and project deliverables.
Laboratory design solutions that combine advanced science spaces, technology integration, offices, and employee amenities to create high-performing research and quality environments.
Controls and automation engineering for selecting, implementing, testing, and commissioning systems that improve reliability, visibility, and operational performance.
Environmental, health, and safety compliance and permitting support to help pharmaceutical projects address regulatory obligations and reduce execution risk.

We begin by understanding your business objectives, production targets, regulatory expectations, and user requirements. This early planning phase helps establish a clear project scope, align stakeholders, and create a strong foundation for compliant pharmaceutical facility design.
See how integrated design expertise supports complex pharmaceutical and biotech facility goals.
Hixson brings specialized facility expertise, integrated delivery, and proven project leadership to complex pharmaceutical environments.
Hixson has delivered architecture and engineering expertise since 1948, including cGMP space design for decades.
Twenty in-house technical disciplines collaborate closely, reducing handoff issues and improving project coordination.
Proven project management methods help control complexity, support compliance goals, and improve project outcomes.
Hixson works as an extension of client teams, building long-term relationships across North America.
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.
A pharmaceutical manufacturing engineer helps design, optimize, and support the systems used to produce regulated products safely and efficiently. Their work can include process development, equipment selection, utility coordination, workflow planning, automation integration, and startup support. In facility projects, they help translate production requirements into layouts, specifications, and engineering decisions that support cGMP operations and long-term performance.
Talk with our team about your pharmaceutical facility goals.
Hixson supports pharmaceutical and biotech facility projects for clients across North America.
North America
Service Area
Greater Cincinnati
Headquarters
4.5 Stars
Client Rating
Connect with Hixson to discuss project scope and coverage.
Certified workplace culture and employee trust
Interior Design magazine industry recognition
Recognized across core industry sectors
Share your project goals, facility needs, or planning questions, and our team will follow up to discuss 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.