Michael Maybell
Michael Maybell
Michael James Maybell, MSEE
President | Planet Earth Communications
A seasoned professional and a renowned expert in his field of antenna microwave design engineering for more than three decades, Michael James Maybell has excelled in the industry since 1968 when he began his career at Raytheon in California. He worked there for 28 years as manager of the antenna system section within its Microwave Engineering Department. During his time there, he contributed significantly to developing electronic warfare systems and pioneered the development of advanced communication systems and developed seven patents, receiving commemorative plaques in recognition of them. He has also enjoyed a prosperous career with the U.S. Air Force over the years, having worked on three contracts with the branch, as well as several prominent companies in the aerospace industry—including Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Specific Antenna Systems in Air, and Toyone Research Corporation. In 1996, he spent a year at Space Systems Loral in Palo Alto as a specialty manager for active antennas before joining L3 Communications Rantron Antenna Systems, serving as vice president of engineering from 1997 to 2000. At that point, he ventured out to establish his own antenna and microwave consulting company, Planet Earth Communications, which he’s been running since 2001.
As president of this organization, Mr. Maybell specializes in the design, analysis, and development of advanced antenna systems, radomes, and arrays. With his extensive experience in antenna systems engineering, he has also developed a particular expertise in Rotman lenses, which are utilized as a wideband beamformer in radio frequency applications; he’s one among a relatively sparse field of qualified professionals specializing in the device. In addition to leading his business, he lent his skill set to Northrop Grumman in 2023 as a staff engineer within its Antenna Products Department and actively participates in the IEEE and Antenna and Propagation Society by providing his expertise and knowledge frequently. He recently submitted a paper to the International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, showcasing his dedication to advancing the field. Although he is not an official member of these organizations, the community within them highly values and appreciates his contributions.
Mr. Maybell prepared for his illustrious career by earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State Colle Long Beach, graduating cum laude in 1968. He continued his education with a master’s degree from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1974. Attributing much of his success to this rich academic background, he was guided by numerous professors who were instrumental in shaping his professional journey. He specifically credits his success in electromagnetics to his master’s degree adviser, Professor George Matthaei—a distinguished expert in the area of filters. The foundational knowledge he passed along allowed Mr. Maybell to approach problems with a strong understanding of “first principles.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Maybell continues to look for new challenges that will push him to his limits and help him grow professionally. He has proven to be invaluable to the industry. In his spare time, he enjoys watching baseball and playing disc golf.
Press Release
Michael James Maybell Celebrated for Dedication to the Field of Engineering
Michael James Maybell channels years of expertise into his work with Planet Earth Communications
SANTA BARBARA, CA, May 7, 2024 —
Michael James Maybell has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Drawing on years of professional engineering expertise, Mr. Maybell excels as president of Planet Earth Communications, which provides antenna consulting services to various companies, including Pacific Antenna Systems LLC and Umbra Lab. Through Planet Earth Communications, he designed tri-band FSS for dichroic sub-reflector applications, low axial ratio meander line polarizers, a compact multilayer/multilevel stripline antenna combiner feed for four equal-amplitude, 90-degree phase progression antennas, and much more. Before obtaining his current role, he worked as an antenna products department staff engineer at Northrop Grumman and vice president of engineering for L3 Communications Randtron Antenna Systems. With the latter, Mr. Maybell oversaw nearly 30 microwave and mechanical engineers, support personnel, and a $1 million per year IR&D budget.
During the early stages of his career, Mr. Maybell gained valuable industry expertise with Space Systems Loral and Raytheon. His illustrious electronic warfare and antenna systems engineering career began at Raytheon in California. For almost 30 years, he contributed significantly to developing electronic warfare systems as the microwave engineering department’s antenna system section manager. An expert in his field, Mr. Maybell earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State College Long Beach in 1968 and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1974.
In conjunction with his work, Mr. Maybell contributed to his community as board chairman for the Cliff Drive Care Center. During his tenure with the organization, he helped design and open an infant care center, which required extensive planning and resources, refurbished the Center’s playground, and obtained hundreds of thousands in grant money. Due to his vast knowledge, he has obtained seven patents and authored numerous publications, including “A Polarization Basics Diagram” and “EHF Rotman Lens Fed Linear Array Multibeam Planar Near-Field Range Measurement.” Likewise, Mr. Maybell has received commendations through Northrop Grumman and Raytheon for his dedication to excellence.
While his career has been filled with highlights, Mr. Maybell takes the most pride in his expertise as an internationally recognized Rotman lens specialist; and presented invited Rotman lens papers to IEEE AP Symposium and at 39th ESA Antenna Workshop. Additionally, he completed SBIR contracts for the United States Air Force and worked with several prominent companies, including Northrop Grumman and Toyon Research Corporation. Though hard work and dedication have brought him far in his career, he credits his success to his faith in God and Jesus Christ, his academic background, and the guidance of his professors, including Professor George Matthaei. Looking ahead, Mr. Maybell intends to share his knowledge with others and seek out new challenges that will help him grow professionally.