QUALIFICATIONS
- B.Tech Mechanical Engineering – 2017
SOFTWARE
Mechanical CAD Software
- AutoCad
- Creo (PTC)
- Fusion (Autodesk)
- Inventor (Autodesk)
- Plant 3D
- Solid Edge (Siemens)
- SolidWorks (Dassault)
PDM/PLM Software
- Inventor Vault (Autodesk)
Analysis Tools
- Excel (for numerical method analysis)
- Inventor Nastran (Autodesk)
- Nastran/Patran
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES
- Afrikaans
Theaan van der Westhuizen
TECHNICAL LEAD
Skills Overview
Theaan van der Westhuizen has an impressive track record in project engineering and product development . His varied career spans mining infrastructure, heavy manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food and beverage industry and product and machine development. His knowledge spans structural analysis, HVAC design and implantation, pneumatic material handling. Theaan excels in product design and development, and faces engineering challenges head-on. He has a good mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
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PROJECT ENGINEERING – Theaan has extensive experience in project engineering, covering the design of new and modified manufacturing and processing facilities. He has coordinated tasks across multiple engineering disciplines, including calculations, specifications, bids, equipment evaluation, and materials lists. He has experience creating technical drawings such as mechanical, piping, and instrumentation diagrams, as well as physical layouts for design and construction.
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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT – Theaan has been involved in product development since 2012, working across various industries, including plastics, tire recycling, and mining.
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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS – Theaan gained significant experience in structural engineering early in his career within the construction industry. He has performed structural analyses for support structures in manufacturing, construction, pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT – Theaan has strong project management skills and has successfully led various projects, demonstrating his ability to manage client expectations and conduct design reviews efficiently. His practical understanding of engineering operations is evident in his day-to-day work and he can manage complex engineering processes effectively.
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PRODUCT 3D MODELLING – Theaan has experience creating 3D models, from conceptual designs to detailed models, using various software tools. He has the ability to develop adaptable working models that are easy to modify and extract details from in the final design stages.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
The profession of engineering is highest form of art, where creative ideas and practicality meet. I relish the challenge of starting with a problem or requirement, generating conceptual ideas, and then following one of those through the entire design process and onto delivery and commissioning of the final solution. I have the ability to think broadly when considering and generating ideas yet be focused and detail driven during detail design and draughting phases as necessitated to achieve quality outcomes.
Project Experience
Provided comprehensive design and detailing services for various projects, including healthcare, law enforcement, and infrastructure facilities. Key responsibilities included utilising existing site information to develop precise 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings, managing complex layouts, and ensuring alignment with project specifications.
ADHB Central Plant Building & Enabling Tunnel
Led the design and documentation for multiple components of the ADHB Central Plant Building and Enabling Tunnel project, including accurate 3D models and manufacturing drawings for Staircase 13, detailed design and fabrication drawings for Perry Grating, and complex layouts for external balustrades and handrails (L0–L2). Delivered 3D modelling and documentation for the wet riser Webforge grating, and addressed challenging roof layouts in the design and fabrication drawings for the flues and penthouse stainless steel roof.
NZ Police Dog Base
Designed and documented new sliding gates for the Dog Unit facility, including 3D modelling and manufacturing details based on site conditions.
NZ Police Interview Room
Developed a custom cover plate design using existing site information, including full 3D modelling and detailed manufacturing documentation.
DIVA NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS
Super Cereal Manufacturing Facility
Turnkey project, managed and executed as the principle design house and contractor for the client. Super Cereal Manufacturing Facility was constructed to complied with all manufacturing processes in accordance with FSCC 22000 Standards that was to comply with Uni-Chef manufacturing and production standards. Working with the client, OEM’s, contractors and sub-contractors, detailed designs were supplied and commissioned, handed over to the client.
Successfully delivered a range of engineering and infrastructure projects, combining project management expertise with practical design application. Responsibilities included managing contractors, coordinating execution, and producing 3D models and manufacturing drawings based on existing site conditions. Ensured all work met operational and safety standards within a live industrial environment.
Warehouse 2 Stormwater Improvements
Provided project management and applied core design principles to ensure the successful execution of stormwater system upgrades.
Trade Waste Drain Replacement
Oversaw project delivery, incorporating fundamental design practices to support effective replacement of trade waste drainage infrastructure.
D-Pan Bottom Dish & Calandria Tube Replacement
Managed the end-to-end project including design and installation of the bottom dish. Developed basic pressure vessel designs using site data to produce accurate 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings.
Dust Explosion – Risk Reduction
Led the project management and coordination of contractors to execute works aimed at reducing explosion risks, ensuring safety compliance and operational continuity.
ATLANTIS FOUNDARIES
Mold Sand Transfer Line
Principle Mechanical Engineer in the design and overseeing the construction of a New Pneumatic Mold Sand Transfer Line. One of the major challenges was the wear experienced during product transfer on the bend of the line, this led to the development and the design of the Pocket Elbows that minimized wear on the line. The principle of transferring heavy loaded dust products with the loss of minimum of product was achieved, working onsite with the client and third parties the project is currently operational.
DE BEERS MARINE
AMV3 Minin Vessel
Mechanical Design Engineer that were a member of very pro-active project team on the AMV3 Mining Vessel Project. Part of the scope was to improve on the existing Crawler Unit to allow for more efficiency and lower the cost of maintenance due to the robust environment. The suction nozzle was one of the key components that were actively re-engineered and successfully delivered to the vessel during the commissioning stages, with better flow and less wear as a deliverable.
TERMITETECHNOLOGIES
T1 Drill Unit Development
Assisted as a Mechanical Engineer in the developing and design of the new T1 Drill Unit for more and effective solutions within the South African underground mining. Working side-by-side with the client developed a new innovative unit that were to change the industry. Complete stress calculations with FEA simulations on all major and minor components and structural support to allow for worst case scenario’s that may occur during operational conditions.
POLYTRIM
Genesis Unit 1
Principle Mechanical Engineer in the developing of an innovative manufacturing unit within the plastic industry. The unit was develop to counter the high operational and maintenance costs, and the final goal was achieved during the manufacturing process. The design was based on existing technology with the combination of new technology to improve material flow, material handling and material finishing for end-user purposes. The success of the project and development of the unit will be revolutionary within the plastic industry.
CALIBER CHALLENGE
2025
Winners of the 2025 Caliber Challenge showed outstanding engineering skill, commercial acumen, and teamwork under pressure. In just 4.5 hours, their team tackled a mystery brief, developed a concept, built a business case, and pitched to a panel of “investors.”
GOOD BUGGER AWARD
September 2025
Theaan been making an impact on multiple fronts: doing great work on his secondment and supporting another Caliber engineer who was joining him, proactively helping a new engineer relocating from South Africa, and even tapping into his own networks to create opportunities for Caliber. Impressive effort.