In his professional career, he has held executive positions in investment companies, Polus Kazakhstan, and KAZ Minerals Management. He also spent 10 years working for a major international mining consulting firm.

Nikolai has worked on projects and mining operations in Russia, Kazakhstan, Western and Southern Africa. His expertise lies in strategic planning and evaluation of mining enterprises, managing mine productivity improvements, underground mine design, and the implementation of new mining technologies. He has worked with minerals such as zinc, lead, copper, tin, gold, uranium, bauxite, and others.

He has been involved in projects at various stages, from exploration to scoping studies, pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies, commissioning, and Due Diligence. Additionally, he has led several uranium projects in Russia and Kazakhstan.

In 2011, Nikolai was the founder and organizer of the Kazakhstan Mining Club. Since 2014, he has been actively involved in developing the Kazakhstan Public Reporting Code for Mineral Resources and Reserves (KAZRC) based on CRIRSCO international standards. He was one of the initiators of the establishment of the Professional Association of Independent Subsoil Experts of Kazakhstan (PONEN). Since 2016, he has represented Kazakhstan on the CRIRSCO Committee. In 2016–2017, he chaired the technical committee of the MINEX Central Asia conference.