Richard L. Higgins, Ph.D.

Engineering Consultant to: ITT Space Systems Div. – Rochester, NY                       1/2008 – Present

Principal Component Engineer

 Responsible for evaluation, selection and integrating components made by various members of the team to form the optical telescope element, which is the portion of the telescope that will collect light and provide sharp images of deep space from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) program

·   EEE part procurement and screening documents per EEE-INST-002 and Aerospace Report No. TOR-2006(8583)-5236 (TOR - Technical Operating Report) for space programs

·   Develop SCD’s on semiconductors and microcircuits per MIL-PRF-38534 and MIL-PRF-38535

·   Developed screening requirements on  non-standard parts and submitted NSPAR’s for approval

Engineering Consultant to: General Dynamics Land Systems – Woodbridge, VA        10/2006 – 12/2007

Principal Reliability and Component Engineer

Complete responsibility for the parts count and parts stress reliability prediction/analysis on the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) was officially renamed the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV)

·   Evaluation and Verification of electro-mechanical reliability predictions performed on the EFV per MIL-HDBK-217 and the Naval Surface Warfare Center NSWC-06 Physics of Failure (POF) Model for Mechanical Equipment. Also prepared Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD)

·   Evaluation of field failures and developing statistical analysis using the Crow Model and Reliability Growth Modeling using RGA-6 from ReliaSoft per MIL-HDBK-189 and 781

·   Assisted with mechanical and thermal stress testing analysis and evaluation performed to determine  over-stressed components using XRD and SEM analysis

·   Evaluation of electrochemical and mechanical effects, such as corrosive wear and erosive corrosion, from lab testing and failure investigations, to simulation studies

·   Materials characterization, materials testing, characterization of composites, corrosion engineering analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), optical spectrometry

Engineering Consultant to: NASA – MSFC/NASA Huntsville, AL                       1/2006 – 9/2006

Principal Reliability and Maintainability Engineer

·   Assigned to an Upper-Stage Team Lead and working with other NASA engineers and scientists to evaluate and develop the Reliability and Maintainability requirements needed on the Constellation Launch Vehicle (CLV) 

·   Evaluate reliability parts count and parts stress predictions per MIL-HDBK-217, IEC TR 62380 (formerly RDF 2000), NSWC06/LE10 using RELEX Reliability Analyses, Failure Modes Effects Analyses/Critical Items Lists (FMEA/CIL) development per MIL-STD-1629, and/or Maintainability & Supportability analysis on complete system

 Quantum Technologies, Inc. - Fort Walton Beach, FL                                              2/1995 – 12/2005            Reliability and Component Engineering Senior Manager

Complete structure and setup of the reliability and component engineering departments including the responsibility of screening and hiring all key individuals to cover all engineering efforts and support functions. Managed 18 engineers and technicians on various military, aerospace and NASA space projects to ensure success on all programs

·   Established reliability testing methods for product development, manufacturing acceptance and reliability assurance. Development and improvement of reliability programs, including reliability testing, data analysis methods, product validation, product failure analysis and ISO 9001/2000

·   Extensive experience in reliability analysis and RAM-T testing methods (HALT, HASS, ESS, RGT, demonstration, accelerated life testing), Thermal Profiling, and Probability Ratio Sequential Testing (PRST), RAM-T and data analyses and system analysis using MIL-STD-2164, DOD-HDBK-344 - ESS, MIL-STD-756 – Reliability Modeling, MIL-STD-781 – Reliability Design Qualification and Production Acceptance Tests: Exponential/ Distribution, MIL-HDBK-781 - Reliability Test Methods, Plans and Environments for Engineering Development, Qualification and Production and MIL-HDBK-338 - Electronic Reliability Design Handbook

·   Define component and material requirements that meet manufacturing, application and reliability requirements

·   Involved in all phases of reliability program implementation, from initial guidance and training of senior management, to application of Failure Analyses (FMEA, FMECA, FRACAS, WCCA, and FTA)

·   Developed advanced testing methods for reliability testing on fiber-optic and optoelectronic components and systems to meet Telcordia (Bellcore) standards using “Physics of Reliability Techniques”

·    Performed IC device reliability testing ranging from preproduction evaluation, defining qualification plans, executing product/process qualifications, assessing new technologies. Established reliability test plans on new process/package/design and ongoing reliability monitoring

·   Manufacturing processes, semiconductor material, fab processes, IC packaging, IC failure analysis, and device reliability stress testing at device level and product level and chemistry of GaAs, III-V, and solid state/semiconductor device physics

·   Developed detailed component procurement specifications, Generates plans, procedures, EEE part procurement and screening documents per EEE-INST-001 and 311-INST-001 (SCD's, SoCD;s, SID's, and AID's) with broad knowledge of Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) parts on microcircuits, semiconductors, RF, microwave, and fiber optic components in accordance with MIL-STD-19500, MIL-STD-38510, MIL-PRF-38534, MIL-PRF-38535 and other applicable military documents.

·   Experience in Quality Assurance, EMC/EMI/RFI engineering, failure analysis techniques and applying quality and reliability methodologies such as TQM, SPC, RGM (Reliability Growth Monitoring) per MIL-HDBK-189 and Six Sigma Management techniques

Under Contract to: Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) - Laurel, MD                     2/1994 – 6/1995

Sr. Component/Reliability Engineer

·   Developed and maintained the APL and AVL on the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) program

·   Review and selection of “S” level Rad-Hard components for space applications

·   Performed parts count and parts stress reliability predictions to meet program requirements

Under Contract to: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) - Pasadena, CA            1/1992 – 1/1994             Sr. Parts/Component Engineer

 As a member of the Parts Engineering Group working on various projects such as “Deep Space 1 (DS1)” Ion Propulsion engine program worth $149.7M

·   Evaluation for electrical and mechanical stress and reliability analysis by performing environmental and reliability testing. Responsible for screening, evaluating and selection of all electrical, electronic, electromechanical, components and materials used in the design

Transportation Technology Center – Pueblo, CO                                                          2/1988 – 1/1992

 Reliability/Component Engineering Manager

·   Failure Analysis/Reliability Analysis and assessment responsibilities on advance research projects

·   Managed a team of 13 engineers and technicians in the Reliability, Maintainability and Component Engineering groups including the management and responsibilities of the Failure Analysis Laboratory

Under Contract to: Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC) - San Diego, CA               2/1986 – 12/1987

Research Associate/Program Manager

·   Project manager and reliability analysis responsibilities on the Navy’s “Relocatable Over The Horizon Radar”  (ROTHR) Project

·   Researched and prepared scientific paper "Seawater Plasma Sound Source (Confidential)" NOSC internal report, April 1986

·   Higgins, R.L., and McManus, B., "Statistical Analysis of Clark Lake Radio Observatory Ionospheric Structure Measurements” NOSC Technical Document #TD-1090, May 1987

·   As a member of the R&D organization we performed experimental research to develop a underwater transducer        for long range telecommunications