Bob van Streun: From CAD Designer to Design Lead in the World of Airports

An Unexpected Start in Aviation

With six years of experience at NACO and Haskoning, Bob van Streun is now a Design Lead, but his journey started differently than you might expect.

Before he knew it, he had an interview, received an offer, and started his adventure at NACO. “It felt right from the beginning. They really wanted me on board, and that gave me a lot of confidence.”

From Small-Scale Projects to Large Airports

Before joining NACO, Bob worked at a small engineering firm in Amersfoort. "I was involved in urban redevelopment and sewer system projects. Very different from what I do now, but it gave me a broad foundation." Transitioning to airport design was a big change. "At my previous job, I handled entire projects by myself. But here, you work with teams of up to a hundred people on a single project. That took some getting used to, but it’s incredibly interesting. It allows you to specialize while still developing a broad skill set."

“At NACO, you can take on what interests you.”

What Bob values most about NACO is the freedom to shape his own career. "If you take initiative, you can pick up anything that interests you. That’s how I’ve gradually steered my work toward what I’m passionate about." He started with smaller Dutch airport projects at Schiphol, Rotterdam, and Maastricht. "I could contribute right away thanks to my knowledge of Dutch regulations and standards." He further developed this expertise within the team, helping to establish new working methods and standards.
Over time, his passion for international projects grew. "I wanted to experience what it’s like to design an airport from scratch. That brings a whole different set of challenges."

Growing into a Coordinating Role

Over the past few years, Bob has taken on more responsibilities. "Big projects often come with hectic moments. The Design Lead doesn’t always have time for everything, which creates opportunities to step in. That’s how I gradually moved into a coordinating role." His current role as Design Lead evolved naturally. "What’s great is that you don’t have to wait for a promotion or for someone to give you the next step. You grow by taking responsibility yourself."

Working on the Biggest Projects

So, what’s the most exciting project Bob has worked on? "Honestly, every project is different. But the most impressive ones are when a client says, ‘Just build me an airport.’ And then it’s up to us to determine the ambitions and requirements together with the client," Bob says enthusiastically. "We work with a team of experts who are among the best in their fields. Even when a client has only a vague idea, we can already lay a solid foundation and advise them on what they need. That makes the work both challenging and rewarding."

The Power of Knowledge Sharing: The NACO Academy

In addition to his project work, Bob is involved in the NACO Academy, where technical knowledge is shared with colleagues. "We have a few ‘super seniors’ at NACO with incredible expertise. But they’re also always busy. The NACO Academy helps document their knowledge and pass it on to new employees." These internal training sessions are valuable not just for newcomers but also for experienced professionals. "During training, discussions often arise between experts who have been in the field for 20 years. That helps us align and develop a unified way of working."

A Team That Makes a Difference

What makes NACO such a great place to work for Bob? "The team," he says without hesitation. "We have people who have been with NACO for a long time, which provides stability. But there’s also a strong drive to create something great together. The pressure on projects can be high, but we always deliver quality."
Additionally, the collaboration with Haskoning offers extra advantages. "We have access to experts in various fields like sewer systems, geotechnics, water management. That combination makes our work even more exciting!"

A Final Tip for New Colleagues

For anyone starting at NACO, Bob has one clear piece of advice: "The strength of NACO lies in the freedom you have. There’s so much to do here, and you can really shape your own role. Take advantage of that! And don’t hesitate to reach out to people—everyone is willing to help."