Electronics Engineer Needed for Low-Power Digital Tally Counter Prototype

# Electronics Engineer Needed: Compact, Low-Power Digital Tally Counter Prototype I am looking for an electronics engineer to develop **one working prototype of a compact, pocket-size digital tally counter**, using surface-mount (SMD) components and a low-power microcontroller. The device should be simple, reliable, compact, and designed for continuous 24/7 operation. ## Core Functionality - A physical tactile push-button to increment the count from 00 to 99. - A reset input. - The display should show **today's count and the previous day's final count**. - Using a real-time clock (RTC), the device should automatically transfer today's final count to the previous-day count at midnight and reset today's count to 00. - The count must be retained in non-volatile memory where necessary, including after battery replacement or power loss. ## Display Requirements A small monochrome LCD is preferred. The display must remain **continuously visible 24/7**, without requiring a button press to wake it up or automatically switching off. For the initial prototype, I am open to recommendations for an affordable, readily available, low-power display. In the future, I would ideally like to move toward a **white-on-black segmented LCD display**, but a custom display is not required for this initial phase. ## Electronics and Power - Compact PCB using SMD components. - Low-power microcontroller with simple, reliable button debouncing and display control. - RTC for automatic midnight reset and daily count management. - Preferably a 3V coin-cell battery, such as a CR2450, although suitable alternatives can be suggested. - Low-power operation suitable for a device that remains switched on continuously, 24 hours a day. - Target average current consumption of **10 µA or less, with 5 µA preferred**, if achievable with the proposed hardware and display. Please recommend a realistic battery-life estimate based on the selected components and expected current consumption, and explain any trade-offs. ## Required Deliverables - One fully assembled, working physical prototype. - Complete circuit diagram/schematic in editable format. - Editable PCB layout and source design files. - Gerber files and drill files for PCB manufacturing. - BOM with component names, part numbers and quantities. - Firmware source code and compiled firmware. - Assembly documentation and programming instructions. - Testing results covering counting, midnight reset, count retention and measured current consumption. - Realistic battery-life estimate and a short demonstration video. ## Project Expectations This is an initial prototype, not a mass-production project. I am open to practical engineering suggestions that simplify the design and keep costs reasonable, provided the core functionality and continuous 24/7 display requirement are maintained. Please describe your relevant experience with low-power electronics, embedded firmware, PCB design and physical prototyping. Include your proposed technical approach, estimated total cost, realistic delivery timeline, and any assumptions or exclusions in your quotation. **Please quote for the complete scope of work and identify any additional costs upfront.** I want all the deliverables listed above included in the agreed project price, with shipping costs discussed and approved separately before shipping. No unexpected charges should be introduced after the project begins.