A strategic sector undergoing rapid growth
Nuclear engineering is one of the most dynamic, structuring and job-creating industrial sectors in France.
With the challenges of the energy transition, life extension of facilities, maintenance, safety and new projects (EPR2, SMR, decommissioning), the need for qualified engineers is very high.
Engineers trained through the IGN programme are sought after for their technical expertise, rigour, sense of responsibility and ability to work in complex, highly regulated environments.
Graduate employment
Thanks to the work-study programme, IGN graduates leave the school with:
- solid hands-on experience,
- a thorough understanding of nuclear issues,
- a recognised professional approach,
- immediate employability.
The nuclear sector is recruiting heavily: job prospects are excellent.
Sectors of activity
Graduates can progress across the entire nuclear value chain, including:
- Electricity generation and distribution (EDF)
- Front-end and back-end fuel cycle (ORANO, CEA)
- Radioactive waste management (ANDRA)
- Engineering and industrial maintenance (FRAMATOME, ONET, SPIE, ASSYSTEM, ORYS…)
- Construction sites and major projects (EPR, VD4, decommissioning)
- Safety, regulatory and research bodies (ASN, IRSN, CEA)
- Specialist service providers (inspection, radiation protection, nuclear ventilation, robotics…)
Opportunities are varied, both at production sites and in research centres, design offices, engineering firms and service providers.
Targeted professions
Thanks to their multidisciplinary training, IGIN engineers can access a wide range of professions, including:
🔐 Safety & risk
- Nuclear safety engineer
- Risk analysis engineer
- Organisational and human factors (OHF) engineer
☢️ Radiation protection and nuclear measurements
- Radiation protection engineer
- Nuclear measurements engineer
- Ionising radiation expert
🛠️ Operations & maintenance
- Power plant maintenance engineer
- Modifications / new works engineer
- Operator in charge of a Basic Nuclear Installation (BNI)
- Nuclear unit operations engineer
🧬 Design & engineering
- Facilities design engineer
- Studies engineer (thermohydraulics, neutronics, ventilation, containment…)
- Process engineer in a nuclear environment
🧹 Decommissioning & waste management
- Decommissioning engineer
- Decontamination / remediation engineer
- Nuclear dismantling project manager
📊 Leadership & management
- Nuclear project manager
- Business manager
- Nuclear trainer
- Intervention coordinator
Career progression
After a few years of experience, IGN engineers progress to positions with a high level of responsibility:
- Safety manager
- Operations manager
- Maintenance manager
- Engineering manager
- Unit or department manager
- Technical director
- Site director or major project director
The nuclear sector places a strong value on expertise, reliability and hands-on experience—qualities strengthened by work-study training.
International career
The programme includes a mandatory international experience of at least 12 weeks, opening the way to opportunities in:
- major exporting groups (EDF, Framatome, Orano),
- international projects (EPR Finland, United Kingdom, India; decommissioning projects; research),
- organisations and engineering firms based abroad.
Possible further studies
Although most graduates enter the professional world directly, some continue with:
- Specialised Master’s (safety, nuclear engineering, radiation protection, project management…)
- MBA (after professional experience)
- Nuclear-specific technical certifications (QSSER, OHF, project management…)
Contacts
Academic Director
François Valdivieso – Mines Saint-Étienne
francois.valdivieso@mines-stetienne.fr
Admissions – ISTP
ingeinfo@istp-france.com
🔗 Learn more
Label
Accreditation
The Nuclear Engineering programme is accredited by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur (CTI).
The programme is listed in the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP 40418).