From Office Hero to Techie
Thijs, Team Lead of the HOT team at DENS, didn’t follow the usual path to the high-tech industry. What started as a strategic management degree and an office job transformed into a hands-on role in engineering, where he’s now a jack-of-all-trades with a passion for electrical systems.
After studying strategic management, I worked in an office job. But at one point, I asked myself, ‘Is this really it?’” Thijs shares. Around the same time, he took on a personal project: building his own house. Between technical installations, bricklaying, and carpentry, he discovered his passion. “I became more and more handy and decided to try something in engineering,” he says with a grin.
Determined to make a change, Thijs enrolled in a BBL (work-study) program in electrical engineering. During his studies, he realized how much he valued working in a team. When he came across DENS, he didn’t hesitate to reach out. “The very next day, I had the chance to visit for a trial day. That’s so typical of DENS: quick decisions and immediate trust,” Thijs recalls.
Trust and Enthusiasm from Day One
During his introduction, Thijs jumped straight into working with the machines. The team’s atmosphere, trust, and enthusiasm immediately drew him in. From the start, I was encouraged to dive in and try everything. “Go for it,” my mentor said. By the end of the day, I walked out with a contract in my hand. Bam, done!”
In just four months, Thijs advanced to Team Lead of the HOT team. HOT consists of three electrical building blocks HMI (Human Machine Interface), Omvormer (Inverter) and Transformer. His team oversees the electrical systems of the Powerhub, DENS’ mobile battery system. “What’s the best part of my job? The technology, for sure, but especially the team. My team members are often better at electrical engineering than I am, and we learn a lot from each other. Communication with other departments, like Engineering, is easy and direct, so we can adapt quickly,” he explains.
At DENS, collaboration and growth are key. “Everyone is willing to help each other out and explain things when needed. We also do real team-building activities, not just on weekends but also during the week. It really makes you look forward to work,” Thijs says enthusiastically.
A Company Without Hierarchy
One of the things that sets DENS apart is the lack of hierarchy. Even the director doesn’t hesitate to jump in when needed. “Teams and colleagues always support each other. A great example was when Team Chemical helped make cable harnesses during a busy period. That’s just how DENS works,” says Thijs.
DENS also invests in its people. “Here, you can grow into your role and choose your area of expertise. We train our own team because we work with cutting-edge technology and unique machines. You might learn the basics in a course, but hands-on experience is where the real growth happens,” he explains.
“Everyone here gets a chance to use their talent. That’s DENS’ strength, and I’m proud of it,” Thijs says. His story shows that a career at DENS isn’t just a job – it’s an adventure. Are you ready to join the team?