Note: This role is a co-op / internship position for the current term - September through December 2026. Unfortunately the student we had hired needed to withdraw from the role last minute. We are looking for a student who can start as soon as possible, working in-person in our Ottawa office.
Our Company
We are Twin Paradox Labs, a small startup with very big aspirations: To remove the technical barriers limiting scientific progress so that humanity’s greatest challenges can be overcome. We are developing hardware to transform quantum and atomic devices from academic experiments into real-world instruments, unlocking entire new fields of research and discovery in applications as varied as greenhouse gas sensing, quantum computing, and space exploration. All of this starts by building precision electronics and optics to manipulate the internal structure of single atoms. That’s what we do.
In the past 12 months we have:
- Launched a prototype laser system on a SpaceX rocket, enabling a quantum gravity sensor for earth observation
- Demonstrated the viability of our laser technology in the application of greenhouse gas sensing
- Delivered our first product, a robust and compact laser system, to a Government of Canada Defense organization
If you have a “can-do” attitude, want to be constantly learning and trying new things, and want to build the best possible tools to explore and protect our world, we would love to hear from you.
The Role
As a start-up with a small team, we have a lot going on! This means we have many areas/disciplines in which you could contribute. What exactly you work on with us will depend on both your skillset and what you’re interested in. Below you will find examples of projects with which we need support. Some are more software focused, some more hardware focused – you can focus on one area or on both. If any of it sounds interesting to you, please apply!
We are looking for an engineering student (likely in Computer, Electrical, Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Software engineering) to join our team. You will be supporting the development of opto-electronics for quantum sensors which can fly on a CubeSat. You will be leading one or more of the following projects:
- Product Improvements (Software/Firmware) – You will improve the user experience of our recently developed laser system. This will involve working on the host computer side to implement command handling and the receiving of telemetry and data. You will also work on the embedded Zynq system to enable host-free autonomous operation.
- Product Improvements (Hardware) – You will work to make our laser system more capable by improving its functional performance and robustness. This could involve electrical design work to optimize a PCB, mechanical design work to improve heat dissipation through the system, or the optimization of a fibre-optic assembly – to name a few examples.
- Production Process Design and Optimization – You will review the existing laser system production process and evaluate its efficiency. You will recommend and implement process improvements which could include changes to process flow, the design of assembly fixtures/tools, or updates to production controls and documentation.
- Product Validation - You will help standardize the Factory Acceptance Test procedure for our laser system, including implementing automation where appropriate. This starts with understanding both the product and production process to highlight key risks associated with the assembly process. You will then develop test plans and custom hardware (e.g. bed-of-nails PCBs hardware and mechanical fixtures) to support product validation.
There may be opportunities to contribute to additional projects depending on the areas in which you're interested.
Valuable Skills and Experience
- Strong understanding of analog and digital electronics
- Programming in Python required; familiarity with C/C++ an asset
- Experience with Linux (including experience with embedded Linux systems like Raspberry Pi's)
- Experience with microcontrollers, FPGAs, or similar embedded systems an asset
- Experience using Git for version control (commits, branching, merging, etc.)
- Knowledge of automated testing frameworks (such as Robot Framework) and software tools
- PCB/electronics design experience an asset
- Comfortable working with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers
- Experience developing verification/validation test procedures for electronics
- Experience with 3D modelling (Fusion, Solidworks, etc.) and mechanical design
- Experience developing production processes and systems
Details
Job Type: Co-op, 4 months, full-time
Compensation: $25 to $32 per hour commensurate with experience
Location: 1-875 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Environment: In-person (office/lab)
