Backend engineer shipping data systems that scale.

From Riga to Amsterdam and back again, I’ve spent the past decade architecting resilient systems, leading integrations between platforms. I love working where performance, observability, and thoughtful UX intersect.

I'm Nikaels Balašovs, a backend engineer based in Riga.

I craft APIs, data pipelines, and integrations that keep products fast, available, and insightful for customers.

In 2017 I moved from Latvia to the Netherlands to study Computer Science and Engineering, landing my first major role at Coosto. That journey led me to Amsterdam, Tiqets, and most recently back home to Latvia in 2024, where I joined Q.Beyond to split my time between backend engineering and data work. On the side I actively maintain Atlaso, my own product for travel discovery.

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Real-World Experience,
Real Results.

Long-term partnerships have shaped how I solve problems. Choose to dive into the teams I've supported or the toolkits that power that work.

Data Engineer

Q.Beyond

2024 — Present

Design and maintain scalable data pipelines, optimize ELT workflows, and integrate diverse sources to support analytics and cloud solutions.

Backend Developer

Tiqets

2023 — 2024

Own the B2B experience for Tiqets Partner API and pricing engine for distributors and suppliers.

Full-Stack Software Engineer

Coosto

2019 — 2023

Built and evolved Coosto’s internal CRM and scraping tools, leading a small team in the move from monolith to microservices.

Work I've done to make a meaningful impact.

Highlights from the products I've shipped and the ventures I've created to bring helpful tools to people.

2024 — Present

Atlaso

A personal travel discovery companion that collects your travel goals, preferred climates, budgets, and party details to surface trustworthy destination ideas in minutes.

Discovery Intake

Guided onboarding questionnaire that captures travel goals, methods, climate and accommodation preferences, and the people you want to travel with.

Personalized Picks

Recommendation engine that cross-references your answers (and even your friends') to suggest handpicked vacation spots.

Planning Hub

Trip workspace where you can store budgets, tentative dates, and wishlists while iterating on plans together.

Knowledge and Growth
Beyond the Curriculum.

Certifications, workshops, and everyday communication stack together to keep me sharp. Choose what you'd like to explore.

Datadog Foundation

Datadog

Oct 2023 — Oct 2023

Time Management

ICM

Nov 2023 — Nov 2023

Powerful Public Speaking

IncompanyTrainer

Oct 2024 — Oct 2024