What We Do: Expert Full-Service Engineering in Automation & Control Systems

The HEI Automation Engineering Solution: To deliver exceptional automation engineering solutions backed by trusted relationships, unwavering responsiveness, and proven expertise. We are committed to making it work seamlessly and ensuring it’s done right every time.

1. Strong Relationships and Trust: Establishment of long-term, trust-based relationships through proactive communication, transparency, and dependable service delivery.

2. Accessibility and Responsiveness: Frequent access to engineering experts and swift responses to client inquiries or needs, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.

3. Expertise and Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to provide highly specialized engineering services and control systems integration tailored to the unique needs of regulated industries such as life sciences, food and beverage, and water/wastewater.

At Huffman Engineering, we take pride in having some of the best engineers and technicians in the industry who have exceptional backgrounds and experiences in automation and controls. To ensure we have the ability to rapidly respond to our customer’s needs, Huffman Engineering employs 28 degreed engineers, supporting electronics technicians, CAD design technicians and licensed electricians.  Additionally, seven employees hold at least one Professional Engineer license and two employees hold a Project Management Professional certification. 

High-scale system integration and top of the line customer service allow us to become a trusted advisor to some of the most successful companies and municipalities in the Midwest. Hallmarks include truly listening and understanding the needs of the customer and executing their vision with technical excellence.

Services We Provide

Machine Icon

Automation & Controls Engineering

Compliance Icon

Compliance For Regulated Industries

Data Analysis Icon

Networking, Analytics & Reporting

Engineered Design Icon

Engineered Design & Studies

  • Overview

  • Pharmaceuticals | Life Science

  • Water | Wastewater

  • Food | Beverage

  • Electrical | Gas Utilities

  • Networking | Data Analytics | Cybersecurity

  • Manufacturing | Material Handling

  • Engineering Design
  • Specification Development
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Commissioning, Qualification & Validation
  • Cyber Security Assessment
  • Project Management
  • Programming & Configuration
  • Control Panel Design & Build
  • System Upgrades & Maintenance
  • Field Start-up & Testing
  • Training & Knowledge Transfer
  • Computer Aided Drafting
  • Troubleshooting
  • Instrument Configuration

With pharmaceutical proficiency extending to every step of the bio-reacting, batch mixing and weight, processing and packaging progression, our resident expertise to provide an in-depth life science solutions is second to none.

Process Technologies

  • Single-Use Technology (Bioreactors & Mixers)
  • Tablet Presses
  • Autoclaves
  • Freeze Dryers
  • Lyophilizers
  • Clean in Place (CIP)
  • WFI & Purified Water
  • Environmental Chamber
  • Continuous Process Control Systems
  • Conveyor Controls
  • Coating
  • Flow Controls
  • Fluid Bed Dryers
  • Fillers
  • Process Tanks
  • Ovens
  • Sifters
  • Spray Coating
  • Bottling & Filling
  • Capsule Filling
  • Cappers
  • Cartoners
  • Sealers
  • Labelers & Printers
  • Air Compressors
  • Blowers
  • Chillers
  • Dust Collectors
  • Palletizing
  • Material Tracking
  • RF Identification
  • Robotics
  • SCADA
  • Sortation/ Bar Code
  • Temperature/ Oven Controls
  • Machine Safety
  • Voltage Separation

Standards

  • ISA S88
  • CFR Part 21

Automation

  • Batch Control Systems
  • Recipe Driven
  • Serialization
  • Batch Weighing and Loading
  • Bulk Receiving and Loading
  • Loss in Weight Feeders
  • Drives & Motion Controls
  • Visions Systems
  • Operator Interface Programming
  • HMI/OI/SCADA Systems
  • Plantwide OT Networking
  • PLC Programming
  • Pneumatic Material Handling
  • Processing/ Production
  • Equipment & Process Validation
  • Legacy System Migrations

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

  • Data Collection
  • Historian Systems
  • Reporting
  • PASX Integration
  • Operational Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
  • Electronic Batch Records
  • Design Documentation

Documentation/Validation

  • Protocol | Development | Review | Execution
  • URS
  • Hardware Design Specification (HDS)
  • Software Design Specification (SDS)
  • Functional Specification (FS)
  • Installation Qualification (IQ)
  • Operational Qualification (OQ)
  • Performance Qualification (PQ)
  • Trace Matrix
  • Turnover Package Development
  • Computer System Validation (CSV)
  • Installation Verification (IV)
  • Technical Installation Plan (TIP)
  • Technical Installation Record (TIR)
Industry Icons with Pharmaceuticals Highlighted

Clean water systems are imperative to the communities we live and work in and we’re committed to helping both small and large utilities build and maintain clean water and wastewater systems that will manage environmental influences and sustain healthy environments for decades and beyond.

Process Technologies

  • Chemical Treatment
  • Filtration Systems
  • In-Plant and Remote Pump Controls
  • Tank Level Monitoring
  • Well Pumps
  • Level & Flow Control
  • Lead/ Lag Pump Control
  • Chemical Leak Detection
  • Clarifiers & Softening
  • Sedimentation & Disinfection
  • Bar Screens
  • Power Distribution and Design
  • Motor Control Centers (MCC’s)
  • Low Voltage Electrical Equipment
  • Aeration Basins
  • Disinfection
  • Clarifiers
  • Dewatering and effluent system
  • Dissolved Oxygen Controls
  • Grit and Grease Removal
  • Digesters
  • Headworks
  • Raw Sewage Lift Station
  • Chemical Treatment
  • Trickling filters
  • Odor Control

Automation

  • Legacy System Migrations
  • Lift Stations
  • Drives & Motion Controls
  • Operator Interface Programming
  • HMI/OI/SCADA Systems
  • Plantwide OT Networking
  • PLC Programming
  • Pneumatic Material Handling
  • Equipment & Process Validation

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

  • Data Collection
  • Historian Systems
  • Reporting
  • Operational Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
  • Design Documentation

Documentation/Validation

  • Protocol | Development | Review | Execution
  • Control Narratives
  • Technical Reviews
  • Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)
  • Site acceptance Tests (SAT)
  • Turnover Package Development
Industry Icons with Wastewater Highlighted

Food and beverage safety, efficiency and high-productivity are top of mind at every turn. We have experience with Safety & Quality (USDA) and Safe foods and handling processes (FSMA) compliance and every step of the process from the raw ingredient to batch mixing and weight, ammonia refrigeration, processing and packaging progression. Working with world-class food distribution companies is what we do and our ability to provide processing and distribution solutions sets us apart from the competition.

Process Technologies

  • Freeze Dryers
  • Lyophilizers
  • Clean in Place (CIP)
  • WFI & Purified Water
  • Environmental Chamber
  • Continuous Process Control Systems
  • Conveyor Controls
  • Coating
  • Flow Controls
  • Fluid Bed Dryers
  • Fillers
  • Process Tanks
  • Ovens
  • Sifters
  • Spray Coating
  • Bottling & Filling
  • Capsule Filling
  • Cappers
  • Cartoners
  • Sealers
  • Labelers & Printers
  • Air Compressors
  • Blowers
  • Chillers
  • Dust Collectors
  • Palletizing
  • Material Tracking
  • RF Identification
  • Robotics
  • SCADA
  • Sortation/ Bar Code
  • Temperature/ Oven Controls
  • Coordinated Drive Systems
  • Dryers, Blowers & Grain Handling Equipment
  • Material Handling
  • Product Tracking & Palletizing
  • Parts Identification and Tracking
  • Meat Handling: carcass handling, slicer controls
  • Meat Handling: engine room, refrigeration, rapid freezing
  • Plating
  • Refrigeration Control Systems
  • Ammonia Refrigeration
  • Servo/ Position Control
  • Machine Safety
  • Voltage Separation

Automation

  • Batch Control Systems
  • Recipe Driven
  • Serialization
  • Batch Weighing and Loading
  • Bulk Receiving and Loading
  • Loss in Weight Feeders
  • Drives & Motion Controls
  • Visions Systems
  • Operator Interface Programming
  • HMI/OI/SCADA Systems
  • Plantwide OT Networking
  • PLC Programming
  • Pneumatic Material Handling
  • Processing/ Production
  • Equipment & Process Validation
  • Legacy System Migrations

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

  • Data Collection
  • Historian Systems
  • Reporting
  • Operational Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
  • Electronic Batch Records
  • Design Documentation

Documentation/Validation

  • Protocol | Development | Review | Execution
  • URS
  • Hardware Design Specification (HDS)
  • Software Design Specification (SDS)
  • Functional Specification (FS)
  • Installation Qualification (IQ)
  • Operational Qualification (OQ)
  • Performance Qualification (PQ)
  • Trace Matrix
  • Turnover Package Development
  • Computer System Validation (CSV)
  • Installation Verification (IV)
  • Technical Installation Plan (TIP)
  • Technical Installation Record (TIR)

Standards

  • FDA
Industry Icons with Food Highlighted

It’s no secret electricity drives our communities, our nations, our globe. As energy demand increases across the country and the world, so does the demand for efficiency in controlling electricity and how it is utilized in our industrial manufacturing plants and utility systems freeing up demand on the grid in general. At Huffman Engineering our experience with controls, energy efficiency studies and solutions to make plants more efficient in the long run are helping our customers return energy and electricity to the grid and presenting cost saving to our clients every day.  Alternative fuels are also a part of the conversation and compressed natural gas is one area where we at Huffman Engineering have some background.

Electricity

  • Energy demand
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Reliability
  • Renewable energy
  • Energy storage
  • Optimizing power
    management
  • Automate & Monitor power systems at utilization

Natural Gas

  • Liquification, Vaporization,
    Delivery, Odorant Injection,
    Metering, Monitoring
  • Data acquisition
  • Process control
    requirements
  • System-wide distribution
  • Emergency shutdown
  • Process safety
  • Fire & gas
  • Compressor control
  • Process control
  • Instrumentation
  • Storage monitoring
  • Distribution monitoring &
    control

Automation

  • Drives & Motion Controls
  • Visions Systems
  • Operator Interface Programming
  • HMI/OI/SCADA Systems
  • Plantwide OT Networking
  • PLC Programming
  • Equipment & Process Validation
  • Legacy System Migrations

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

  • Data Collection
  • Historian Systems
  • Reporting
  • Operational Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
  • Design Documentation

Documentation/Validation

  • Protocol | Development | Review | Execution
  • Control Narratives
  • Technical Reviews
  • Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)
  • Site acceptance Tests (SAT)
  • Turnover Package Development
Industry Icons with Utility Highlighted

In regulated industries, not only is maintaining uninterrupted operations vital, but the ability to scale solutions and integrate them seamlessly with existing systems is important for adapting to changing regulatory requirements and operational needs. Effective data analytics and real-time monitoring can help in proactive decision-making, improving efficiency, and ensuring compliance.  Operations adhere to regulations, protect against cyber threats, and maintain the integrity and availability of critical systems and data.  Our teams are experienced in aspects of IT/OT convergence, cutting over networks as they spin off divisions, assessing for cybersecurity threats and implementing threat protections and implementing SCADA systems to show dynamic data trends and allow management teams to make wise business decisions.

Networking

  • Network Design and Architecture
  • Network Implementation
  • Network Integration
  • Network Optimization
  • Network Security
  • Wireless Solutions
  • Network Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting and Support
  • Cloud Integration

Data Analytics

  • Data Integration
  • Data Warehousing
  • Business Intelligence (BI)
  • Advanced Analytics

Data Analytics continued…

  • Data Governance
  • Data Visualization
  • Historian Implementation
  • Dashboards Development
  • Real-Time Analytics

Cybersecurity

  • Threat Assessment
  • Security Architecture
  • Incident Response
  • Security Monitoring
  • Compliance Management
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM)
  • Endpoint Security
  • Data Encryption
  • Security Training
Industry Icons with Network Highlighted

Striving for operational efficiency every day is a top priority for our clients and we know it.  From process optimization to equipping clients with the latest in automation and controls technology, we strive each day to make sure we can help customers achieve high efficiency, lower costs and better overall performance.

Process Technologies

  • Continuous Process Control Systems
  • Conveyor Controls
  • Coordinated Drive Systems
  • Drives & Motion Control
  • Servo/ Position Control
  • Sortation/ Bar Code
  • Power Distribution and Design
  • Low Voltage Electrical Equipment
  • Instrumentation
  • Operator Interface Programming
  • Palletizing
  • Parts Identification and Tracking
  • Plating
  • PLC Programming
  • Pneumatic Material Handling
  • Processing/ Production
  • RF Identification
  • Collaborative Robots(Cobots)/ Robotics
  • SCADA
  • Safety and Quality
  • Control, Monitor and Record Data at Critical Control Points
  • Product Tracking & Palletizing
  • Vision Systems
  • Arc Flash

Automation

  • Batch Control Systems
  • Recipe Driven
  • Serialization
  • Batch Weighing and Loading
  • Bulk Receiving and Loading
  • Loss in Weight Feeders
  • HMI/OI/SCADA Systems
  • Plantwide OT Networking
  • PLC Programming
  • Pneumatic Material Handling
  • Processing/ Production
  • Equipment & Process Validation
  • Legacy System Migrations

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

  • Data Collection
  • Historian Systems
  • Reporting
  • Operational Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
  • Electronic Batch Records
  • Design Documentation

Documentation/Validation

  • Protocol | Development | Review | Execution
  • Hardware Design Specification (HDS)
  • Software Design Specification (SDS)
  • Trace Matrix
  • Turnover Package Development
  • Computer System Validation (CSV)
  • Installation Verification (IV)
  • Technical Installation Plan (TIP)
  • Technical Installation Record (TIR)
Industry Icons with Manufacturing Highlighted

What Our Clients Say

Global Pharmaceutical Company
“Working with Huffman was the best contractor experience I’ve had had all year.”

Project Engineer, Global Pharmaceutical Company

Global Food Company
“I recently had the pleasure of working with HEI, an exceptional engineering consulting firm. Their team demonstrated remarkable technical expertise and innovative problem-solving skills, delivering tailored solutions that perfectly met our needs. Throughout the project, HEI maintained clear communication and a proactive approach, ensuring a seamless and successful collaboration. I highly recommend HEI for their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence.”
Senior Engineer & Project Manager, Global Food Company
Global Consumer Healthcare
“I would fully recommend your services to any client.  First off, I’d like to tell you that you are one of the most respected contractors that I have worked with in both our department and organization. I am continually impressed by your versatility, and I am also especially pleased by your conscientious way that you interact with all associates to achieve tasks and milestones here at our site.
The work you have done for us on networking, programming, and troubleshooting is diligent, thoughtful, and intelligent. … Through your work you continue to exceed expectations and have become an integral partner to us.  You continue to also create a team atmosphere in which others can thrive in and knowledge is shared and transferred making us better internally.
In short, you are an outstanding engineer and continue to collaborate and show great potential in both real word application and academic learning.  I would strongly recommend you to any such client and appreciate the continued support you provide us.”
Site Engineering Director, Global Consumer Healthcare
Construction Company & General Contractor
“Huffman Engineering brought a high-level of expertise and a great depth of understanding to the Missouri River WWTP project. Huffman’s task was to integrate all the electrical and control systems to work seamlessly together – a difficult task on this complex system.  We found Huffman to be professional, organized, and a great member of our team.”
Vice President, Construction Company & General Contractor
State Department of Transportation
“If you would have walked into the control room at the Eisenhower Tunnel one year ago. You would have thought you were on a sci-fi movie set back in the seventies, levers, lights and buttons everywhere. Huffman brought in a completely new perspective of digital technology for CDOT; we were able to change the old levers to the modern bells and whistles. Now we have a new SCADA system with touchscreen capabilities. This project was so unique it took 60-year-old technology and made it compatible with state-of-the-art technology. Huffman Staff with their professional certifications: train the CDOT control room with a complete total confidence to operate new equipment. CDOT has true Customer Satisfaction with the successful work Huffman did on this project.”
Master Electrician, State Department of Transportation
National Data Communications Company
“We’ve worked with Huffman Engineering for 20 continuous years now.  If we could work with only one automation & control systems integrator, the easy choice would be HEI.”
President, National Data Communications Company
Global AEC General Contractor
“HEI’s integration was flawless Very well done. (Their team) was very knowledgeable. I don’t think I would never pick another team (company) because they are always spot on, they identify issues right away and resolve them quickly. They are here early, and they are here late to take care of the project. I like to hire subject matter experts for this type of work, and they are subject matter experts.”
Construction Manager, Global AEC General Contractor
Global AEC General Contractor
“Looking forward to expanding our relationship into the next year and beyond. I believe we have an opportunity to think outside the box and provide new and existing clients a Quality and Professionalism they don’t get with anyone else in the industry.”
Senior Estimator, Electrical Company
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Have Questions? Like To Request a Quote? Contact Us Below

Howard Huffman
President | Founder

Did you know?
Howard is an avid reader

At Huffman Engineering, Inc. We pride ourselves on being responsive to our client needs. Listening well and learning what it is that makes your processes unique to everyone else’s in the world and adapting and designing with best practices in mind is what we do best. Because as system integrators we learn from all different industries, we are able to bring the most innovative ideas and planning from each client in our toolbox.