CHUCK NEEDHAM – CV

Chuck Needham CV photo

Redmond, WA • 360-301-1692 • chuck@chuckneedham.com • Google Scholar • CV pdf

Summary

Hardware and lab operations specialist with 18+ years of experience in industrial research environments. Trusted as a versatile, “go-to” problem solver, providing rapid, practical solutions to complex mechanical and hardware challenges. Brings strong mechanical intuition, combined with deep institutional knowledge to support diverse projects, complex hardware deployments, and specialized user groups. Team player valued for reliability, collaboration, and the ability to bridge stakeholders and accelerate problem resolution in fast-paced research environments.

Core Skills + Capabilities

  • Mechanical design, assembly, repair, and modification
  • Hardware lab operations, setup, and safety practices
  • Prototype build, test, and deployment support
  • Hands-on mechanical troubleshooting and design iteration
  • Lab equipment maintenance
  • Parts sourcing, vendor coordination, and inventory management
  • Project coordination for complex hardware builds and deployments
  • Technical documentation and build support
  • Fabrication methods: CNC, laser cutting, lathe, waterjet, welding, soldering, 3D printing

Professional Experience

Senior Service Engineer, Hardware Specialist
Microsoft Research — Redmond, WA
2006 – 2025

  • Owned day-to-day project lab operations supporting experimental research, hardware systems, and user studies
  • Maintained calibration, safety practices, and equipment uptime across a shared lab environment
  • Designed and built custom mechanical assemblies, test fixtures, and calibration setups, often translating rough concepts or constraints into workable physical solutions
  • Led complex hardware field deployments at scale, including setup, repair, ongoing maintenance, documentation, and operational readiness
  • Kept long-running research and development projects operational through hands-on maintenance, repairs, modifications, and practical design improvements
  • Troubleshot hardware systems spanning mechanical, electronic, firmware, and networking domains to unblock stalled work
  • Managed vendor relationships, schedules, and standard operating procedures to support project timelines and lab needs
  • Acquired, built, and supported virtualized and server-based lab infrastructure to enable experimental workflows

Selected projects and contributions

Project Eclipse – Environmental Sensing Platform, Microsoft Research

  • Contributed to design, testing, logistics, and deployment of a large-scale, hyperlocal environmental sensing system
  • Managed and supported the assembly of 200+ deployed sensing devices, including PCB integration, wiring, battery systems, enclosure assembly, firmware flashing, and calibration
  • Designed and built specialized gas testing and calibration systems in collaboration with engineers, researchers, and vendors
  • Developed mounting hardware, outdoor enclosures, and deployment processes supporting early adopter cities

EcoPod Mobile Science Lab (Eclipse Subproject), Microsoft Research

  • Built a mobile science lab for off-grid, multimedia, and field deployment use, including electrical redesign, welding, structural repair, transport, and demonstrations

Assistive Technology & Clinical Research (Enable Group), Microsoft Research + Swedish Neuroscience Institute + Team Gleason + AlS Association

  • Supported assistive technology projects for individuals with severe speech and motor disabilities, including an eye-controlled power wheelchair and hands-free music systems
  • Prepared and maintained hardware for clinical trials and multi-site deployments, including test course setup for pre-clinical evaluation

PRISM / VideoVR Calibration Systems, Microsoft Research

  • Proposed and implemented automated VR calibration using a robotic arm, custom fixtures, and a dedicated calibration space
  • Designed and manufactured calibration targets and interfaces to ensure development and QA teams remained unblocked

Publications

Additional Information

Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps, honorable discharge

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