2018 MILCOM

Eric Higgins
Deputy Program Manager
Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW146)


Eric Higgins assumed his current duties as the Deputy Program Manager for the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146) in September 2015, providing acquisition responsibility for Navy satellite programs which include the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) and UHF Followon (UFO). In 2001 he was selected as an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO). After receiving a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School he joined Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) assigned to PMA-234, the EA-6B Program Office. He served as the Integrated Product Team Lead for EA-6B Mission Planning, the Airborne Electronic Attack Transition Team Lead, the Jammer Technique Optimization (JATO) Lead, and started the initial acquisition studies for the Next Generation Jammer program. His next assignment was to SPAWAR Space Field Activity Detachment Denver, Colorado as the Officer in Charge and Navy Plant Representative. There he served as the program office on sight lead, overseeing the integration, test, launch, and on orbit operations of an ACAT ID satellite program. He finished his Navy career at the PMW 146. There he served as The Launch and Mission Operations Division Director, Director of Operations, and the Principal Assistant Program Manager (PAPM)/Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for MUOS. After retiring from the Navy, Eric accepted a government civilian position with PMW 146 continuing his role as MUOS PAPM/COR. In 2011, Eric decided to leave civil service a private sector opportunity with the Scitor Corporation. There he served as a recognized subject matter expert supporting the government in program management, systems engineering, and integration and test oversight of satellite programs. His work experience has spanned all levels of assembly, program management, and engineering disciplines on multiple space programs and mission areas.

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