ESP32-S3 Embedded Developer Needed for Handheld Digital Prototype

I am looking for an experienced ESP32-S3 / embedded C++ developer, preferably with PCB design and board bring-up experience, to build a functional prototype of a standalone handheld digital companion device. This is not the complete commercial product. The goal is a one-companion-line vertical slice—Base Form → Morph 1 → Morph 2—that proves the custom hardware, firmware, graphics, save system, audio, power management, and core gameplay systems work together reliably. Current Hardware - ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8 - Sharp LS027B7DH01 2.7-inch 400×240 monochrome Memory LCD - Bourns PEC11S-929F-S0015 rotary encoder - 2 × Alps SKQGABE010 A/B switches - Single-cell LiPo battery - BQ25185 charger/power management - TPS63802 regulator - TPS22919 load switch - MAX17048 battery fuel gauge - RV-3028-C7 real-time clock - MAX98357A audio amplifier - PUI AS01808AO-3-R speaker - USB-C power/data with ESD protection - Bluetooth Low Energy - One custom main PCB - (Under Consideration) Compact external NFC card reader communicating with the handheld over BLE; exact reader hardware is still to be selected - Fully 3D-printed prototype enclosure Prototype Requirements - Monochrome pixel graphics and animation - Rotary encoder and A/B navigation - Home screen, menus, calendar, top information bar, and quick-care/info shortcuts - Nickname, Bond, age, hunger, cleanliness, sadness, care, and companion interactions - Configurable Base → Morph 1 → Morph 2 progression using age, Bond, weather, and future special conditions - Form Shift between unlocked stages without losing progression - Sunny, Rain, and Snow weather - RTC date/time and battery status - Sound effects and simple background music - Persistent/versioned save data and autosave - Configurable sleep/wake and low-power operation - Seven-question first-boot quiz framework - Companion storage where stored companions and powered-off devices do not accumulate companion age - At least one complete mini-game - Debug tools for rapidly testing age, Bond, weather, saves, and Morphing - NFC-to-BLE unlock proof where the reader reports scanned card data and the handheld validates the card, prevents duplicate species, commits any rare-variation result before revealing it, and saves the unlock Architecture and Deliverables The project must be structured so additional companions, forms, animations, mini-games, and card IDs can be added without rebuilding the core firmware. Required delivery includes: - Complete editable source code - Reproducible builds - Working firmware and prototype hardware - Build and flashing instructions - Dependency and license information - Pin and hardware documentation - Save-data documentation - Asset integration instructions If PCB work is included, I also would like editable schematics and PCB layout, BOM, Gerbers/manufacturing files, assembly files, and board bring-up documentation. This is intended to become a commercial product. An NDA/confidentiality agreement may be required, and all agreed custom source and project files must be delivered. When Applying Please include: - Whether you handle firmware, PCB design, enclosure integration, and board bring-up - Your recommended framework/toolchain - Which mini-game is included in your estimate - Estimated cost, schedule, and milestone breakdown - Any technical concerns or proposed changes to the current hardware - Confirmation that complete source code and build documentation will be delivered - Confirmation that you are willing to work under reasonable confidentiality terms I am specifically looking for someone with experience in embedded hardware, firmware, graphical interfaces, if possible custom PCB development.