<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-08-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000864559</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CASCADE MICROTECH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSCD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001443087</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nambiar Anand</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CASCADE MICROTECH INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2430 NW 206TH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEAVERTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97006</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President of Operations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Provided that the individual continues to hold the status of employee, then 30,000 Restricted Stock Units cliff vest annually over four years on the anniversary date of the grant.  7,500 Restricted Stock Units cliff vesting on each of the following: April 21, 2009, April 21, 2010, April 21, 2011 and April 21, 2012.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted Stock Units carry no expiration date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Madelaine Salas by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
