Hi mtyson,
I am not from Laminar Research; just a flight simmer from down under.
The short answer is yes.
X-plane is unlike any other shoot-em-up or flight sim package. The controller has to be installed and configured through X-Plane. No other way. Not even through your operating system. This benefit was introduced in version 11.10 It has the benefit of changing configurations for different aircraft and then saving with a file name without having to perform a full reconfiguration when you change aircraft.
Have a look at the relevant section in the manual found at https://x-plane.com/manuals/desktop/#configuringandtuningyourx-planeinstallation
This should provide details on how to connect and configure the hardware. Whatever unit you purchase or build yourself you need to ensure it tracks back to a USB2.0 connection.
Additional information can be found from youtube tutorials by Michael Brown. The link can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/col2mab/videos There are several tutorials but you need to scroll through the list. The message from me is to take the message from Michael on how to do it and not necessarily disregard the video because it does not refer to your hardware item.
Now if the controller you intend to purchase is made by Logitech ex Saitek then as soon as you open the box with the controller inside find the software and immediately dig a hole in the ground, throw the software in, fill the hole never to see the software again. The software does not work with X-Plane.. Do the same with any other items of the same brand. If you have already installed software of this brand you need to perform a detailed deletion of software.
Good luck and welcome to the world of X-Plane and in particular XP11.35.
Glenn