Sim Racing Wheel Controller – STM32 USB HID, EMI-Robust PCB + Firmware (Gated Phases)
Budget: $750 – $1,500 USD
Project Overview
We are developing a commercial sim racing wheel controller (target retail ~£400).
This is a production product, not a hobby project or one-off prototype.
The controller will operate close to force-feedback motors, so EMI robustness, low latency, and long-term reliability are critical. This role covers hardware + firmware, structured into two gated phases under a single contract.
NDA and full IP assignment are required.
Project Structure (Read Carefully – This Is Non-Negotiable)
Phase 1 – Architecture & Schematic (NO layout / NO firmware)
Deliverables:
Complete, review-ready schematic
Preliminary PCB stack-up recommendation (4 vs 6 layers, with justification)
Production BOM with alternates (MCU, regulators, USB protection, Hall sensors)
Electrical design covering:
STM32 MCU with native USB FS (HID device)
USB 2.0 interface with proper ESD protection
Dual Hall sensors per paddle:
Digital latch (shift)
Analog sensor (clutch)
EMI-aware power regulation and filtering
Grounding strategy with flexibility for later tuning (filter footprints, ferrites, tie options)
Explicit exclusions in Phase 1:
PCB layout
Firmware development
Prototyping
Mechanical or magnet geometry
Phase 2 will not begin until Phase 1 is reviewed and approved.
Phase 2 – PCB Layout + Firmware + Bring-Up
(Released only after Phase-1 approval)
EMI-aware PCB layout
Manufacturing files (Gerbers, pick-and-place, BOM)
USB HID firmware with low latency and high polling rate
Initial bring-up and validation support
Technical Context
Mixed-signal design (USB + analog Hall sensors)
Operation near high-current, noisy FFB motors
Focus on clean grounding, return paths, filtering, and robustness
Design should be suitable for eventual FCC/CE/UKCA compliance
Who This Job Is For:
Engineers with real STM32 USB HID experience
Experience shipping commercial hardware
Comfortable designing in EMI-challenging environments
Able to explain why a design choice is made, not just implement it
Comfortable working under NDA with exclusive IP assignment
This Job Is NOT For:
Arduino-only designers
Generalists who “figure it out as they go”
Engineers who jump straight into layout
Anyone who cannot justify grounding, filtering, or layer decisions
Required Screening Questions (Answer All):
Applications without clear technical answers will be ignored.
Describe a product you’ve shipped where USB and analog sensing operated near a noisy load (motors, switching power, etc.).
At schematic level, how would you protect ADC stability for Hall sensors near a force-feedback motor?
Under what conditions would you move from a 4-layer to a 6-layer PCB for this device?
Which STM32 family would you shortlist and why?
Confirm you understand that Phase 1 explicitly excludes PCB layout and firmware.
Tools
Altium or KiCad are acceptable
Full source files must be delivered
Final Note:
This project values discipline and engineering judgment over speed.
If you enjoy building robust, well-architected hardware that survives real-world electrical noise, we’d like to hear from you.
We are developing a commercial sim racing wheel controller (target retail ~£400).
This is a production product, not a hobby project or one-off prototype.
The controller will operate close to force-feedback motors, so EMI robustness, low latency, and long-term reliability are critical. This role covers hardware + firmware, structured into two gated phases under a single contract.
NDA and full IP assignment are required.
Project Structure (Read Carefully – This Is Non-Negotiable)
Phase 1 – Architecture & Schematic (NO layout / NO firmware)
Deliverables:
Complete, review-ready schematic
Preliminary PCB stack-up recommendation (4 vs 6 layers, with justification)
Production BOM with alternates (MCU, regulators, USB protection, Hall sensors)
Electrical design covering:
STM32 MCU with native USB FS (HID device)
USB 2.0 interface with proper ESD protection
Dual Hall sensors per paddle:
Digital latch (shift)
Analog sensor (clutch)
EMI-aware power regulation and filtering
Grounding strategy with flexibility for later tuning (filter footprints, ferrites, tie options)
Explicit exclusions in Phase 1:
PCB layout
Firmware development
Prototyping
Mechanical or magnet geometry
Phase 2 will not begin until Phase 1 is reviewed and approved.
Phase 2 – PCB Layout + Firmware + Bring-Up
(Released only after Phase-1 approval)
EMI-aware PCB layout
Manufacturing files (Gerbers, pick-and-place, BOM)
USB HID firmware with low latency and high polling rate
Initial bring-up and validation support
Technical Context
Mixed-signal design (USB + analog Hall sensors)
Operation near high-current, noisy FFB motors
Focus on clean grounding, return paths, filtering, and robustness
Design should be suitable for eventual FCC/CE/UKCA compliance
Who This Job Is For:
Engineers with real STM32 USB HID experience
Experience shipping commercial hardware
Comfortable designing in EMI-challenging environments
Able to explain why a design choice is made, not just implement it
Comfortable working under NDA with exclusive IP assignment
This Job Is NOT For:
Arduino-only designers
Generalists who “figure it out as they go”
Engineers who jump straight into layout
Anyone who cannot justify grounding, filtering, or layer decisions
Required Screening Questions (Answer All):
Applications without clear technical answers will be ignored.
Describe a product you’ve shipped where USB and analog sensing operated near a noisy load (motors, switching power, etc.).
At schematic level, how would you protect ADC stability for Hall sensors near a force-feedback motor?
Under what conditions would you move from a 4-layer to a 6-layer PCB for this device?
Which STM32 family would you shortlist and why?
Confirm you understand that Phase 1 explicitly excludes PCB layout and firmware.
Tools
Altium or KiCad are acceptable
Full source files must be delivered
Final Note:
This project values discipline and engineering judgment over speed.
If you enjoy building robust, well-architected hardware that survives real-world electrical noise, we’d like to hear from you.