Mike Gamble
Mike Gamble’s story is one of hands-on ingenuity, lifelong learning, and a restless curiosity for what lies beyond the conventional boundaries of engineering. From his early work as an auto mechanic to his three decades at The Boeing Company, Gamble has built a career that bridges traditional aerospace engineering and bold explorations into new energy and propulsion technologies.
Early Career and Education
Mike began his career working as an auto mechanic, where his knack for practical problem-solving and deep interest in systems engineering first took root. Determined to expand his knowledge, he pursued higher education at the Northrop Institute of Technology in Inglewood, California, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in electronics in 1978.
Following graduation, he applied his skills across several small electronics firms, designing and integrating systems ranging from automotive technologies to advanced wood products. His technical acumen quickly gained notice, leading to recognition from the U.S. Defense Department’s Director of Research and Engineering for his outstanding field service work in Melbourne, Australia—where he played a pivotal role in salvaging an F-18 test program.
Thirty Years with Boeing
In 1985, Gamble was recruited by The Boeing Company in Seattle, WA, where he would go on to serve as a Principal Electronics Engineer for the next thirty years. His career at Boeing was marked by work on both classified and unclassified programs spanning commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and aerospace systems.
In his final role at Boeing, he managed a Research and Development (R&D) laboratory, where his team explored not only traditional aerospace solutions but also “exotic” technologies that hinted at the cutting edge of what flight and propulsion might one day become. His leadership and technical insight earned him respect as both a systems innovator and a mentor.
Energy, Propulsion, and Citizen Science
After retiring from Boeing, Gamble turned his attention toward new frontiers. He became an active voice in the Conference on Free Energy, where he has written and spoken about energy and space propulsion systems. Drawing upon decades of engineering expertise, his work bridges mainstream aerospace research with bold explorations into alternative energy and unconventional propulsion concepts.
Never one to remain idle, Gamble continues to pursue hands-on experiments in his own home laboratory—embracing the spirit of citizen science. His writings and presentations have earned him a following among researchers and enthusiasts alike who share his passion for exploring technologies that could transform the future of flight and energy production.
A Life Beyond Engineering
Today, Mike and his wife, Ellen, live on a small working farm in Puyallup, Washington, where they balance family life with practical self-sufficiency. Proud parents of two college-age children, Steven and Delores, they embody a blend of intellectual curiosity and grounded living.
For Gamble, engineering has always been more than a career—it’s a way of approaching the world. Whether salvaging an F-18 test program, managing R&D projects at Boeing, or tinkering with propulsion systems in his personal lab, his work reflects a lifelong commitment to solving problems, pushing boundaries, and asking the big questions about how technology can shape the future.