Backend Developer · Team Lead · Speaker
Nedelcho Nikolov
With over a decade of experience in web development, I love exploring new technologies and creating software that pushes boundaries. As a team lead, I manage large-scale projects and help my team achieve their goals. I'm also an avid conference speaker, sharing insights on web development and emerging technologies.
Journey
Experience & Milestones
Microprocessor Engineering @ PGEHT Pleven
Began secondary school at a technical high school in Pleven, specialising in Microprocessor Engineering. It was my first deep dive into computers and electronics, and where the passion for technology really took root.
Computer Systems & Technologies @ TU Gabrovo
Began my bachelor's degree in Computer Systems and Technologies at the Technical University of Gabrovo.
Web Developer @ ProHost
My first professional role as a web developer, at a small agency in Gabrovo. Over a year and a half I built up solid hands-on experience with website development and got my first real taste of working in a professional environment.
Web Developer @ eTel
Joined eTel, a digital agency in Sofia, where I spent nearly four years working on large-scale client projects as well as internal tools. It's where I significantly levelled up — building dynamic JS interfaces, integrating third-party APIs, and learning what it takes to deliver real products at scale.
Computer Systems & Technologies (Masters) @ TU Gabrovo
Enrolled in a master's programme in Computer Systems and Technologies. I completed all the coursework and passed every exam, but put off my thesis for too long and ultimately lost the right to graduate — a lesson in not letting things slide.
Senior PHP Developer/Team Lead/DevOps @ Enetpulse
Joined Enetpulse in Sofia as a Senior PHP Developer. Within a year I had taken on responsibility for the company's AWS infrastructure and become actively involved in maintaining it. Shortly after, I was promoted to Team Lead on one of the company's key projects. More than ten years later, I'm still here — which says a lot about the place.
IT Project Management @ NBU
Enrolled in a second master's programme, this time in IT Project Management at NBU. I wanted to strengthen the people and process side of my work, not just the technical side. Finally graduated in 2023 — after more procrastination than I'd care to admit.
Volunteer @ OpenFest Bulgaria
My first time volunteering at a conference. I joined the Heralds team, responsible for introducing speakers on stage and facilitating Q&A sessions — a great way to get involved in the community up close.
Volunteer @ QA: Challenge Accepted
My second volunteering experience, and a much more hands-on one. I helped with everything from moving equipment and supporting sponsors to guiding conference guests throughout the day.
Volunteer @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
Volunteered at the inaugural DEV: Challenge Accepted conference, while also speaking at it — a busy but rewarding combination.
Suffering from Success @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
My first conference talk — and a nerve-wracking one. I spoke about handling inconsistent traffic and peak load spikes, a problem I'd dealt with first-hand at work. Speaking in front of a full room was a big challenge, but an experience I won't forget.
Volunteer @ QA: Challenge Accepted
Back for another round of volunteering, helping with everything the conference needed on the day.
Volunteer @ OpenFest
Returned to OpenFest as a volunteer and rejoined the Heralds team, announcing speakers and keeping the stage running smoothly.
Volunteer @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
Back for the second year as both a volunteer and a speaker at DEV: Challenge Accepted.
Don't Let Technical Debt Drag You Down @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
My second talk at DEV: Challenge Accepted. I explored technical debt — what it actually is, how to manage it strategically, and how to have honest conversations about it with your team and stakeholders. I was also nominated for the Dev of the Year award.
Volunteer @ QA: Challenge Accepted
Came back for another year of helping wherever I was needed at QA: Challenge Accepted.
Volunteer @ OpenFest
Third year with OpenFest, back on the Heralds team introducing speakers on stage.
Legacy Revived: Migrating a Frameworkless PHP App to Laravel @ WebExpo Prague
My first talk on an international stage. I spoke about a multi-year migration project — taking a legacy frameworkless PHP application and rebuilding it with Laravel and a Vue.js frontend. I shared the hard decisions, the unexpected challenges, and what we'd do differently in hindsight.
Laravel and FilamentPHP Express Course @ SoftUni
My first online seminar at SoftUni, covering Laravel and FilamentPHP. I walked participants through building a blog application from scratch, showing how the two work together in a real project.
Volunteer @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
My third year volunteering at DEV: Challenge Accepted.
Volunteer @ QA: Challenge Accepted
Another year helping out at QA: Challenge Accepted in whatever capacity was needed.
Volunteer @ OpenFest
Returned to OpenFest and stepped up within the Heralds team, taking on a deputy lead role alongside my usual stage announcements.
Volunteer @ js.talks();
First time volunteering at js.talks(), pitching in wherever needed throughout the conference day.
Effective Communication Upwards and Downwards in the Organization @ IT Weekend
My first talk at IT Weekend. I spoke about the often-overlooked skill of communicating effectively across different levels of an organisation — both upward to leadership and downward to your team.
Mentor @ Mentor the Young
My first official mentoring engagement. I worked with a mentee taking their first steps into DevOps, meeting weekly to discuss tooling, concepts, and career direction.
EventHive.tech
A side project I'm genuinely passionate about. EventHive.tech is a platform for discovering and listing tech events. Still evolving, but the goal is simple: make it easier for the community to find events worth attending.
Volunteer @ Present to Succeed
First time at Present to Succeed as a volunteer, managing access control and helping visitors navigate the venue.
Volunteer @ Beer.JS
First time volunteering at Beer.JS. I handled access control, chatted with sponsors and attendees, and helped people find their way around.
Volunteer @ QA: Challenge Accepted
Stepped up from volunteer to the organising team for QA: Challenge Accepted, getting involved in the planning and execution across the board.
Volunteer @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
Joined the organising team for DEV: Challenge Accepted, taking on a broader role in making the conference happen.
Volunteer @ OpenFest
Returned to OpenFest as head of the Heralds team, taking full responsibility for the stage announcement crew. This year I was also part of the organising team for the conference itself.
How to Find Your First Job @ OpenFest
Joined a panel discussion at OpenFest on finding your first job in tech. We covered the practical side — where to look, what makes a CV stand out, and how to approach the process when you're just starting out.
Mentor @ Mentor the Young
Back for a second season of Mentor the Young, this time supporting a mentee focused on growing as a Salesforce developer and building their personal brand.
The Two-Second Ultimatum: 1 Image, 39 Outputs @ js.talks();
A talk about turning a single uploaded image into 39 different outputs in under two seconds, already stored in S3 by the time the user needs them. I walked through the full journey: the naive first attempts, the experiments across different technologies and languages, and the solution that made it to production.
Grupovi.bg
A side project built around a simple idea: make it easy to find group fitness classes and studio sessions across Bulgaria. Grupovi.bg aggregates classes from gyms and studios in one place, so you can find something that fits your schedule without digging through individual websites.
How to Find Your First Job in IT @ DEV.BG Podcast Ep. 100
Joined Ivan Zlatev and Sara Stamova for the 100th episode of the DEV.BG podcast to discuss how to land your first job in IT — from finding opportunities and building a CV to standing out as a candidate with no experience.
Mentor @ Mentor the Young
My third consecutive season as a mentor. This time working with a mentee focused on levelling up in backend development and getting comfortable with DevOps fundamentals.
Volunteer @ Present to Succeed
Back for a second year at Present to Succeed, helping with access control and whatever else the conference needed on the day.
Volunteer @ QA: Challenge Accepted
Part of the organising team again, helping with everything needed to make the conference run smoothly on the day.
Volunteer @ DEV: Challenge Accepted
Part of the organising team again, contributing to the planning and helping with everything the conference needed on the day.
Volunteer @ OpenFest
Part of the organising team and leading the Heralds team for another year, responsible for stage announcements and keeping everything running on time.
Contact
Let's Connect
Whether you want to discuss a project, talk about the latest in web development, or just say hello — I'd love to hear from you.
Send me an email[email protected]