One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal particles and at least one nuclear spin isotope. The system also includes a probe laser to provide a probe beam through the sensor cell to generate a detection beam, and a magnetic field system to generate magnetic fields through the sensor cell. The system also includes a detection system to implement detection of an external magnetic field based on characteristics of the detection beam in response to precession of the at least one nuclear spin isotope based on the magnetic fields. The system further includes a calibration controller configured to calibrate the magnetometer system based on implementing predetermined changes to the magnetic fields and monitoring the detection beam in a feedback manner.