Robotics Engineer at SBQuantum — NeverHard

Robotics Engineer Location: Sherbrooke / Boston / Montréal / Ottawa Employment Type: Full-Time in a fast-growing startup About Us SBQuantum is a seed-stage startup at the forefront of magnetic sensing innovation. Our vision is to unlock the full potential of magnetic intelligence through our proprietary quantum diamond technology and curated algorithms. By combining diamond-based quantum sensors with advanced AI-driven software, we transform complex magnetic field data into actionable, high-value insights. Our solutions enable accurate magnetic mapping, navigation and object detection in environments where traditional sensing technologies—like GPS, radar, imagery, or sonar—cannot perform. From public safety and defence to space exploration, our multidisciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and data scientists is redefining how the world perceives magnetic signals—turning invisible complexity into clear, useful intelligence. Why Join Us We’re a fast-growing deeptech startup building multiple bricks for the future of magnetic navigation. This is a unique opportunity to: Pioneer magnetic navigation algorithms based on inertial systems Work directly with leadership on strategic and execution priorities Deploy and test your solution on different platforms Collaborate with world leading organizations in the PNT space Have real ownership and impact in a high-growth, mission-driven environment Who We’re Looking For We’re looking for a proactive and hands-on person who thrives in building structure from the ground up and autonomous in making stuff happen. You bring a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach, with the autonomy and drive to move initiatives forward in a fast-paced environment. You’re highly collaborative, able to work seamlessly across technical and non-technical teams and motivated by delivering meaningful impact through strong execution. Key Responsibilities INS filter design & tuning - Design, implement, and tune Kalman-based and hybrid filters (e.g. EKF, UKF) for inertial navigation systems, balancing convergence speed, noise rejection, and drift compensation across operational scenarios. Magnetic navigation integration - Develop and refine sensor fusion algorithms that combine magnetometer data with IMU outputs, addressing magnetic anomaly mapping, hard/soft iron calibration, and geomagnetic model integration. Hybrid systems architecture - Evaluate and iterate on hybrid navigation architectures (loosely-coupled, tightly-coupled, deeply-coupled), defining data flow, aiding source hierarchies, and fault-detection logic for robust multi-sensor operation. Performance benchmarking & analysis - Define and run systematic benchmark suites against reference trajectories and truth data, tracking key metrics Field testing & real-world validation - Plan and execute field trials across representative environments, capturing sensor logs, post-processing data, and closing the loop between lab simulation and real-world edge cases to drive algorithm refinement. Rapid algorithm iteration - Prototype novel approaches quickly in simulation, apply structured tuning methodologies, and move promising candidates through hardware-in-the-loop testing with short iteration cycles from concept to validated result. Critical system-level problem solving - Diagnose ambiguous failure modes across the full signal chain — from raw sensor data to navigation output — proposing unconventional solutions where standard approaches fall short and documenting findings to build team knowledge. What We’re Looking For 5 years of experience in a startup environment Background in robotics, including INS systems EKF filters tuning Demonstrated experience customizing INS platforms with custom sensors Experience with robotics control software such as MOSA, ASPN, PNTOS ArduPilot Experience in autonomous platforms deployment Comfortable wearing multiple hats and switching contexts quickly Strong problem-solver with a bias toward action Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) High level of discretion and professionalism Nice-to-Haves Experience in deeptech, hardware, or scientific environments Familiarity with compliance, grants, or government processes Bilingual English/French What We Offer Flexible hybrid work environment Opportunity to shape both the company and its culture Equity Growth opportunities as SBQuantum scales