Zach Wheeler

Passionate, unconventional thinker with 15+ years of experience designing and implementing desktop software and UI to customer specifications. Known for serving as the principal developer on critical projects, raising documentation standards across teams, and acting as a trusted technical expert wherever I land. I'm the person who finds solutions nobody else can — often simple answers to complex problems — and I have a habit of building small, elegant tools that end up doing big jobs.

Along the way, I mentor junior developers and help teams adopt new technologies with clarity and confidence.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Leica Microsystems - Bellevue, WA

(2024-11 - 2025-11)

• Used C#, WPF/XAML to add new functionality to software supporting and controlling robotic microscopes.
• Spearheaded a complete redesign of a major part of the software to create a sleeker, more unified, more maintainable replacement.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Microsoft Surface - Redmond, WA

(2024-01 - 2024-03)

• Used C#, WPF/XAML, CommunityToolkit.Mvvm, and Microsoft.Extensions to develop a new application to interface with existing and future Surface pen hardware.
• Achieved feature parity with an obsolete design using modern philosophies.

Software Engineer - EA Sports (Frostbite Tools) - Seattle, WA

(2019-11 - 2023-02)

• Repaired and upgraded FrostEd, the game developer tool for the Frostbite engine, using C# and WPF/XAML.
• Developed tools to help other developers.
• Mentored teammates on C#, WPF/XAML, and general procedures.
• Pushed for improved code documentation.
• Made repairs and upgrades to C++ communication code.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - SkyKick - Seattle, WA

(2018-12 - 2019-03)

• Used C# to develop modules for custom backup software.
• Helped transition between WPF/XAML and Electron.
• Developed an adapter between Electron JavaScript and C# DLLs and documented how to extend and maintain it.
• Advocated for improved code documentation.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Canon - Bellevue, WA

(2017-03 - 2017-12)

• Used C#, LUIS, and Google APIs to develop a chatbot integrating with Google Cloud Print.
• Revitalized older C#/WPF/XAML software.
• Researched Vulkan for image display, developed a prototype, and reported on merits and pitfalls.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Napster - Seattle, WA

(2016-10 - 2016-12)

• Migrated features from a Win7 C#/WPF/XAML app to its Win10 replacement.
• Upgraded the Win10 version to add features and improve stability.
• Refactored old C# code to modern standards.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Windows Casual Games (Microsoft) - Redmond, WA

(2016-02 - 2016-06)

• Researched and developed XAML-based animation for a game client.
• Contributed to team knowledge on source control.
• Reworked XAML layouts.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Xbox on Windows Group (Microsoft) - Redmond, WA

(2015-10 - 2016-02)

• Created a custom C#/WPF/XAML control for the Xbox Windows App to display video thumbnails.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - uQontrol - Seattle, WA

(2015-02 - 2015-05)

• Developed UI for the PC interface between the Q-key security hardware product and the internet using C#/WPF/XAML.
• Documented existing architecture.
• Advised developers on WPF/XAML and coding practices.

Software Engineer - Trupanion - Seattle, WA

(2014-07 - 2014-11)

• Developed fax and document collation and display software using C#/WPF/XAML through multiple iterations based on user feedback.
• Shadowed customer service staff to determine future software needs.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Batch Explorer (Microsoft Azure) - Redmond, WA

(2014-05 - 2014-06)

• Reverse-engineered a batch-processing tool to derive a design document, then used it to create a new and improved version in C#/WPF/XAML.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - Launchworks and Central Media (Microsoft) - Redmond, WA

(2013-05 - 2013-12)

• Designed the client side for a C#/XAML-based drop-in menu system for Xbox games (Project Meld).
• Made the system dynamically reconfigurable and expandable by non-developers.
• Enabled server-side JSON to dictate dynamic UI creation.
• Spearheaded conversion to C++.
• Redeveloped the C# prototype into a rapid-prototyping platform.
• Advised developers on XAML.

Software Engineer (Contractor) - SODO (Microsoft) - Redmond, WA

(2012-06 - 2012-08)

• Helped develop the C#/WPF/XAML Excel plugin Power Map.
• Worked with PMs and designers to create custom styling and templates.
• Provided coding advice.

Solutions Engineer - Avanade - Seattle, WA

(2010-02 - 2011-09)

• Helped develop Project Storm, a server provisioning tool, using C#/XAML.
• Upgraded a sales planning tool.
• Educated others on XAML and WPF.
• Developed a step-by-step migration guide.

SDET (Contractor) - Live Engagement Online (Microsoft) - Redmond, WA

(2008-10 - 2009-10)

• Developed two automation frameworks in C#: one for executing game procedures in Windows Live Messenger, and one for coordinating and logging interactions across many computers.

SDET (Contractor) - Live Meeting (Microsoft) - Redmond, WA

(2006-10 - 2007-04)

• Designed a C# library to enclose an old technology and make it more stable, extensible, and user-friendly.
• Added functionality for parallel and sequential execution.
• Documented findings for future maintenance.

Paid Intern - D3 Engineering - Rochester, NY

(2005-07 - 2006-03)

• Upgraded and streamlined embedded C code for a medical camera.
• Upgraded PC-based C++ camera interface software.
• Eliminated a self-booting problem across projects.

Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering - Rochester Institute of Technology (2000-09 - 2005-09)