Versatile, hands-on Senior Industrial Designer and Product Development Specialist with 15+ years of international experience bridging creative vision and real-world manufacturing constraints. I’m the “technical bridge” who translates complex design concepts into practical, production-ready goods while keeping stakeholders aligned and engaged. I excel in Design for Manufacture (DFM), prototyping and testing, flat-pack engineering, and technical delivery across full product lifecycles. My strengths include Rhino 3D CAD, CNC optimization, and specifying physical materials (timber, aluminium, steel, and recycled plastics), supported by strong client-facing communication and remote project execution.

Thomas Van Hennik

Versatile, hands-on Senior Industrial Designer and Product Development Specialist with 15+ years of international experience bridging creative vision and real-world manufacturing constraints. I’m the “technical bridge” who translates complex design concepts into practical, production-ready goods while keeping stakeholders aligned and engaged. I excel in Design for Manufacture (DFM), prototyping and testing, flat-pack engineering, and technical delivery across full product lifecycles. My strengths include Rhino 3D CAD, CNC optimization, and specifying physical materials (timber, aluminium, steel, and recycled plastics), supported by strong client-facing communication and remote project execution.

Available to hire

Versatile, hands-on Senior Industrial Designer and Product Development Specialist with 15+ years of international experience bridging creative vision and real-world manufacturing constraints. I’m the “technical bridge” who translates complex design concepts into practical, production-ready goods while keeping stakeholders aligned and engaged.

I excel in Design for Manufacture (DFM), prototyping and testing, flat-pack engineering, and technical delivery across full product lifecycles. My strengths include Rhino 3D CAD, CNC optimization, and specifying physical materials (timber, aluminium, steel, and recycled plastics), supported by strong client-facing communication and remote project execution.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
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Language

English
Fluent
Portuguese
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Dutch
Intermediate

Work Experience

Commercial & Business Development Consultant / Technical Liaison at Jardim Vista
May 1, 2026 - Present
Led proactive new business prospecting across the Algarve, building strategic relationships with site managers, developers, and private clients across construction and landscaping developments. Served as the company’s on-the-ground face by conducting initial client outreach and pitching high-end spatial and landscaping services to prospective clients. Acted as the primary technical bridge, explaining complex technical aspects, construction requirements, and material benefits in accessible terms to secure commercial buy-in. Guided creative design visions during site walk-throughs, giving clients a sense of ownership in the design process to accelerate conversion rates.
Freelance 3D Designer & Technical Consultant
March 1, 2026 - Present
Spearhead 3D CAD modeling, flat-pack engineering, and CNC-optimized design for custom off-grid infrastructure and hardware prototypes using Rhino 3D, including custom teardrop caravan prototypes designed for efficient batch manufacturing. Manage the transition from conceptual layouts to physical manufacturing requirements while working fully remotely, producing comprehensive assembly manuals and specifications. Completed immersive family travel experiences throughout Japan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka to broaden international perspective before establishing residency in Portugal.
Freelance 3D Designer & Technical Consultant at Independent
March 1, 2026 - Present
Spearheaded 3D CAD modeling, flat-pack engineering, and CNC-optimized design for custom off-grid infrastructure and hardware prototypes using Rhino 3D, including custom teardrop caravan prototypes designed for efficient batch manufacturing. Managed transition from conceptual layouts to physical manufacturing requirements, working fully remote to develop comprehensive assembly manuals and specifications. Completed immersive family travel across Japan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka to broaden international perspective and cultural adaptability prior to establishing residency in Portugal.
Playground Design & Sales Consultant (Area Manager) at Commerc ia l Pla y Ltd
May 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025
Managed full-cycle technical sales and spatial layout creation for educational, municipal, and commercial sectors, securing £1.2M (€1.4M) in new revenue over 18 months. Used advanced Moasure 3D spatial measuring technology to map site topography and deliver precise layout designs quickly. Bridged communication between external stakeholders and internal design teams, reducing technical revisions and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Playground Design & Sales Consultant (Area Manager) at Commercial Play Ltd
May 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025
Managed full-cycle technical sales and spatial layout creation for educational, municipal, and commercial sectors, securing £1.2M (€1.4M) in new revenue over 18 months. Used advanced Moasure 3D spatial measurement technology to map site topographies and deliver precise, rapid layout designs. Bridged communications between external stakeholders and internal design teams, reducing technical revisions and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Senior Technical Design & Delivery Consultant at Playspaces (Outdoors Living / Pearsons Landscaping / Ainsworth Civils)
February 1, 2022 - October 1, 2023
Directed front-end spatial, civil, and technical design for substantial public and private outdoor environments. Designed comprehensive structural and physical infrastructure layouts for diverse outdoor settings, from bespoke high-end residential spaces to structural timber elements and eco-glamping structures. Specialized in natural timber integrations, structural assemblies, and custom physical hardware infrastructure. Managed project life cycles from cost estimations and material sourcing through construction delivery and compliance verification.
Senior Technical Design & Delivery Consultant at Playspaces (Outdoorsy Living / Pearsons Landscaping / Ainsworth Civils)
February 1, 2022 - October 1, 2023
Directed front-end spatial, civil, and technical design for substantial public and private outdoor environments. Designed comprehensive structural and physical infrastructure layouts for diverse outdoor environments, ranging from bespoke high-end residential spaces to structural timber elements and eco-glam ping structures. Specialized in natural timber integrations, structural assemblies, and custom physical hardware infrastructure. Managed project life cycles from cost estimations and material sourcing to construction delivery and compliance verification.
Site Manager & Technical Surveyor at Love Outdoors Group
June 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Executed topographic surveying and site mapping for outdoor structural installations across London and the South East. Managed multi-disciplinary construction teams on-site, serving as the link between commercial project plans and practical construction delivery.
Lead Industrial Designer at We Are Opening Doors (Sliding Shutters)
February 1, 2013 - September 1, 2019
Directed end-to-end industrial design, R&D, and design for manufacture (DFM) for functional, ergonomic, and high-security CE-compliant hardware, mechanisms, and structural products. Spearheaded the research and development phase, building functional prototypes, designing test rigs, and establishing efficient production line tools to reduce manual labour requirements. Collaborated with subcontracted extrusion manufacturers and their technical teams to engineer custom aluminium profiles (including matrix and mould design) and optimized machinery setups. Produced full manufacturing documentation, assembly manuals, and CAD drawings in steel and aluminium, successfully representing products at international trade expos.
Contract & Short-Term Roles at Various organizations
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2013
Completed various short-term roles to fund education and travel, encompassing CAD design, commercial light fixture design, traditional wooden ship building, construction assistance, and agricultural work.

Education

BSc Design and Technology at University of Brighton, UK
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2026
International Baccalaureate at St. Dominic’s International School, Lisbon, Portugal
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2026
BSc Design and Technology at University of Brighton
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2026
International Baccalaureate at St. Dominic’s International School
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2026
BSc Design and Technology at University of Brighton, UK
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2026
International Baccalaureate at St. Dominic’s International School, Lisbon, Portugal
January 11, 2030 - August 15, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Real Estate & Construction, Education, Professional Services, Other, Travel & Hospitality