Nikolai was born in Tobolsk, Russian Empire to the family of a typographical engineer who later worked as a judicial clerk.
His father was Vasily Nikitin (1893-1956), who specialized in welding and other elements of electrical engineering.
In 1930, Nikolai graduated from the Tomsk Technological Institute with training in construction.
He turned his attention to calculations for the foundation of the monumental Palace of the Soviets which was to be constructed at the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
In 1957, he was appointed chief designer of Mosproekt-2 - Institute for the Planning of Housing and Civil Engineering Construction in the City of Moscow.