Nuclear and atomic engineering: profiles that interest the sector

Traditionally perceived as a sector of excellence, the nuclear sector has been facing a lack of attractiveness in recent years, which has generated, on several occasions, a real shortage of talent. Today, France’s third-largest industrial sector still has a significant need for qualified professionals, particularly in the fields of nuclear engineering and atomic engineering.

 

Nuclear and atomic engineering: professions in short supply

For the past ten years, the nuclear sector has suffered from an increasingly sharp decline in the number of qualified talent. According to SFEN (French Nuclear Energy Society), the need for skills in the nuclear sector was in the order of 8,000 jobs in 2020.

Many professions are currently in short supply in the nuclear industry : boilermakers, welders, industrial electricians, technicians, etc. Engineers and atomic engineering experts are also highly sought after by companies.

In order to generate jobs in this sector, several actions have recently been carried out. As part of the Excell plan led by EDF and by other industrial players, the University of Nuclear Professions was created in 2021, in order to promote and boost training offers in the nuclear field. This project provides for the implementation of about fifty scholarships, of a unit amount of 600 euros / month, intended for students in initial training (Bac Pro, BTS, CAP).

In addition, at the beginning of 2022, Emmanuel Macron announced the civil nuclear recovery plan, with the construction of a new fleet of 6 ERP reactors, the construction of which should begin in 2023.

To carry out this major project, the recruitment of 30,000 professionals will be necessary. EDF, which is responsible for carrying out the project, has announced the recruitment of 3,300 technicians and engineers over the course of the year. The group also plans to recruit 15,500 employees in 2022, throughout France, including many engineers and other qualified candidates.

 

Nuclear engineer: definition, salary and missions

What are the functions of the nuclear engineer?

The nuclear engineer has many functions within the nuclear power plant or company where he works. In particular, he may be in charge of:

• ensure the safety of nuclear power plants
• to guarantee the radiological safety of people and to ensure the prevention of risks
• to carry out nuclear studies and tests
• design, modelling or retrofitting a nuclear reactor
• manage the dismantling of nuclear facilities
• to check the condition of machinery, equipment and various installations
• to ensure the proper management of radioactive waste and to supervise the spent nuclear fuel cycle…

 

The nuclear engineer can thus work in a nuclear engineering company, an energy group (EDF, Orano, Spie, Areva, etc.)., but also within a design and engineering office, a research and control centre, etc.

 

Nuclear engineer: what specializations?

The profession of nuclear engineer is the subject of a large number of specializations. Here are a few examples:

• radiation protection engineers
• Nuclear Safety Engineers
• neutronics engineers (reactor specialists)
• Thermal-hydraulic engineers
• engineers specialising in atomic engineering, energy, chemistry, mechanics, electricity, etc.
• critical engineers…

 

What training do I need to become a nuclear engineer in atomic engineering?

To become a nuclear engineer, it is necessary, after a scientific baccalaureate, to follow a bac +5 training to obtain a general or specialized engineering degree.

Here are some examples of training courses and organizations that offer courses to become nuclear engineers:

• The INSTN (National Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology)
• The Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Clermont-Ferrand
• The ISTP (Nuclear Engineering curriculum)
• The engineering degree from École Centrale Supélec
• The Nuclear Engineering Diploma (CNAM) from ITII Île-de-France.
• The Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering Valence, from the University of Grenobles Alpes
• Nuclear training and master’s degrees in Lyon, from Claude Bernard University
• The Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Master 1 in Nuclear Engineering)
• The Grenoble Polytechnic Institute
• Paristech’s Master’s degree in Nuclear Energy
• The Master’s degree in Nuclear Instrumentation at LP2i Bordeaux
• The LMD Fluid Mechanics and Industrial Processes course at the University of Toulouse Ensiacet
• The Master’s Degree in Process Engineering from the International Institute of Nuclear Energy (I2EN)
• The ADIN (Clean-up and dismantling of nuclear facilities) course at the University of Grenobles Alpes

 

There is a wide range of training courses in the field, on campuses all over France, and for all levels of study (nuclear master’s degree, doctorate, IUT, etc.). Depending on the school, the admission criteria are quite variable.

The professional integration rate of nuclear engineers is very high on the market. According to Indeed, 60% find a job 1 month after graduation, and 100% within 6 months of graduating.

 

What is the salary of a nuclear engineer?

The average salary for a nuclear engineer is €40,700 per year, according to Glassdoor.