Luke Nielsen · Software Engineer | Entrepreneur

About Me

Luke Nielsen

Software engineer and entrepreneur in Colorado Springs, and co-founder of Sarasoris. I care about two things in every app I make: that it's a pleasure to use, and that it holds up. I design and build web and mobile apps (React, Next.js, React Native) from the first sketch to production, and I build AI tooling that gives assistants like Claude reliable, deterministic tools to work with.

What I believe

  • Design and engineering are one job. The best apps come from people who care how it looks and how it works, at the same time.
  • The details are the product. Spacing, loading states, error messages and the empty screen on day one are what people actually feel.
  • Quality is something you can feel. Fast, steady, no surprises. Users can't name it, but they notice when it's missing.
  • The screens people use every day deserve the most care. Tools used for hours a day are usually the least designed software a company owns.
  • Ship something small and excellent, then grow it. A focused first version done well beats a big one done halfway.
  • AI should call tools, not guess. Give a model deterministic tools over real data and it becomes dependable.

What I do

  • Frontend engineering. Take Figma files to production faithfully, on web and mobile, with a designer's eye for the details.
  • Full-stack apps. React and Next.js on Firebase (GCP) or AWS. Internal tools, client portals, dashboards and operations apps.
  • AI and MCP tooling. MCP servers that turn real data (ledgers, DNS activity) into tools an AI can call instead of guessing.
  • UX/UI design. I've designed the products I've shipped, including the startup I co-founded.

Right now

I run Sarasoris (sarasoris.com), designing and building custom apps for companies and nonprofits, and I take on frontend and full-stack work for agencies. I write about design and building software well on the blog, and make short videos on the same.

Look around

  • experience.md: where I've worked and what I built there
  • skills.json: the tools I use
  • about_luke.py: press Run for a quick profile card
  • team_fit.js: put in your stack and press Run
  • Import project (top of the Explorer) lets you read the code of one of my GitHub projects right here

Have a project, a stage, or an idea worth building together? Head to Contact.

Experience

Co-founder, Sarasoris LLC

Colorado Springs · Sep 2026 – present

  • Custom web and mobile apps for companies and nonprofits outgrowing spreadsheets: scheduling, inventory and reporting in one app.
  • Contract frontend work for agencies: React, Next.js and React Native.

Systems Engineer, Radius Group

Colorado Springs · Aug 2025 – Aug 2026

  • Developed software and full-stack web applications for internal and client-facing use.
  • Gathered requirements, designed system architectures, and implemented solutions.
  • Built an invoice management system, an AI-powered candidate vetting platform, a trip and gear management app for an adventure company, a coffee ordering app, and a legal document acquisition platform for an education program.
  • React, Firebase (GCP) and AWS.

IT Intern, Peak STEM Academy

Colorado Springs · Apr 2025 – Aug 2025

  • PowerShell scripts and GUI automations to provision student laptops.
  • Deployed and configured Ubiquiti network infrastructure.
  • Built virtual test environments in Azure and ran proof-of-concept automated testing with SoapUI and Eggplant.
  • Wrote software to collect telemetry data and expose test endpoints.

CEO and Co-Founder, Screen Pigeon LLC

Colorado Springs · Jun 2024 – present

  • Led vision, product strategy and creative direction for a SaaS startup providing safe, parent-monitored laptops for children.
  • Designed the web app's UI/UX, created marketing materials, secured local media coverage, ran IT operations and customer support.
  • Took the product from concept through deployment.

Education

  • Pikes Peak State College
  • The Classical Academy College Pathways