About

Engineering where software meets the physical world.

I’m a Mechatronics Engineering student at the University of Waterloo, currently working across robotics, machine learning, and data operations.

I’m drawn to problems that ask software to perform beyond the demo, from sensing and motion to simulation, automation, and the infrastructure behind reliable systems.

Portrait of Nickolas Barandich

Building across robotics, data, and real-world operations.

At Parkalytics, I work with drone survey planning, aerial imagery, machine-learning pipelines, and geospatial analysis. With WATonomous, I develop reinforcement-learning workflows for humanoid locomotion. Both roles keep me close to the practical constraints behind complex technical systems.

Understand the whole system. Then make it work clearly.

My earlier firmware work at UW Orbital sharpened how I think about timing, failure modes, testing, and constraints. Whether the work is embedded C, Python automation, or simulation, I value careful iteration, direct communication, and engineering judgment that holds up outside ideal conditions.

Education
Mechatronics Engineering University of Waterloo · 2025—2030
Current work
Parkalytics · WATonomous
Focus
Embedded systems · Robotics · Machine learning · Data workflows