I’m looking for a hands-on electronics technician to help complete and physically validate two working prototypes: Birdie, a sensor-based golf smart-grip device, and BullBluff, an electronic dartboard control system.
Most of the firmware and software development has already been completed. The primary need is physical electronics assembly, verification, calibration, sensor testing, wiring, and hardware troubleshooting. Arduino/ESP32 debugging experience is strongly preferred because the technician may need to diagnose or make small firmware adjustments during hardware testing.
Birdie work includes: assembling and verifying the ESP32-based electronics; testing the IMU/motion sensor, grip-pressure FSR sensors, display, battery/power system, button, Bluetooth, and related components; checking I2C/ADC operation and sensor addresses; calibrating and validating sensor readings; soldering and breadboard/prototype wiring; running existing Arduino diagnostic firmware; troubleshooting hardware/firmware interaction; and documenting final wiring, GPIO assignments, component placement, and test results.
BullBluff work includes: examining an existing electronic dartboard; identifying and mapping its connector/harness and scoring matrix; determining row/column or contact configuration; measuring voltages, polarity, and electrical behavior; determining the proper interface between the dartboard and ESP32; validating matrix/contact scanning, debounce and hit detection; testing Bluetooth/Wi-Fi communication with the BullBluff app; and documenting the final connector pinout, wiring, GPIO map, and calibration information.
The ideal person has experience with ESP32 or similar microcontrollers, Arduino IDE, multimeters and basic electronics test equipment, soldering, breadboards/prototyping, I2C/SPI/ADC sensors, FSR or pressure sensors, IMUs, sensor calibration, matrix scanning/keypad matrices or similar multiplexed inputs, connector/pinout tracing, Bluetooth/BLE, Wi-Fi, and hardware debugging.
PCB experience, logic-analyzer/oscilloscope experience, wearable electronics, electronic game/dartboard repair, custom sensor systems, 3D-printed prototype assembly, or previous prototype-development experience would be a plus.
This is not primarily a software-development position. Existing firmware and diagnostics are available. I need someone who is comfortable physically working through a prototype, measuring what is actually happening, identifying problems, correcting wiring/interface issues, calibrating sensors, and documenting the final working configuration.
Location: Seattle / Greater Seattle area
Project type: Prototype / contract work
Schedule: Flexible; primarily hands-on work
Compensation: Please provide your hourly/project rate and availability.
When responding, please briefly describe your experience with ESP32/Arduino, sensor calibration, soldering/prototype electronics, and any matrix/contact scanning or electronic-game work. Photos or examples of prototypes you have built or repaired are welcome.