Nick Velander

Nick Velander has over 19 years of work experience in various engineering roles. Nick began their career in 2000 as an Engineering Intern at 3M, where they were responsible for developing, designing, and manufacturing respiratory protective devices. In 2001, they became a Teaching Assistant at the University of Minnesota Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Department, where they managed multiple spacecraft and aircraft design projects. In 2002, they joined Douglas Machine / Douglas Scientific as an R&D Engineer and New Product Development Engineer, where they served as a technical consultant for companies needing expert engineering design. In 2007, they became the Sales and Business Development Manager at QTI Design & Prototype, a division of Quality Tool, where they provided innovative solutions for mechanical design and product development. In 2014, they joined Lellan as the Engineering Global Operations Director, and also became the Engineering Design and Global Operations Director at popSLATE Media, Inc. and the Director of Engineering and Operations at Swivit. In 2015, they co-founded Vapor IO, where they served as the Hardware Product Director, and in 2020 they became the Chief Executive Officer at Rover Robotics.

Nick Velander attended the University of Minnesota from 1996 to 2001, where they earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. Nick then continued their studies at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics.