Working at Bakker Sliedrecht as a Commissioning Engineer: the story of Niels Stuij

Working at Bakker Sliedrecht as a Commissioning Engineer: the story of Niels Stuij

Niels Stuij (39) has been working at Bakker Sliedrecht for 23 years. What started as a part‑time job at the age of 16 grew into a versatile career as a Commissioning Engineer.

From training program to Commissioning Engineer
“I started at Bakker Sliedrecht when I was 16 and worked my way up through the training program to become a Commissioning Engineer,” Niels explains. During his education and throughout his career, he gained broad experience within the company. He worked in the workshop, was active in field installation, contributed to engineering, and spent time on the test floor. “That variety shaped me into who I am today.”

As a Commissioning Engineer, Niels works on a wide range of projects, often at international locations. The most challenging project he has worked on? “Definitely DEME’s Spartacus. Many new technologies were applied there, which made it extra challenging.” Still, he emphasizes that every project is unique: “No project is the same. Every day brings a new challenge, and that’s what makes the job so enjoyable.”

Collaboration at the core
What Niels values most in his role is the combination of Engineering and Commissioning. “You have a lot of freedom on-site to come up with solutions when a system doesn’t work as intended. Together with the Lead Engineer, you look for a way to get the installation up and running.” According to him, that collaboration and responsibility make the work especially interesting.

His choice for Bakker Sliedrecht came about quite spontaneously. “I had started my vocational training, but I didn’t like the idea of going to school five days a week. My father worked at Bakker Sliedrecht at the time and suggested I could start there as well. So I did.”

Advice for new colleagues
Niels has a clear message for potential colleagues: “Don’t wait to apply. The work is diverse, and no day is the same. Of course, there are less enjoyable tasks too, but the great moments make up for everything.”

With his story, Niels shows how a career at Bakker Sliedrecht can grow into a dynamic and international adventure where technology, teamwork, and personal development take center stage. And if you want to become a Commissioning Engineer just like Niels, follow his advice and don’t hesitate to apply — you can do so easily via our website.