Pros
- I worked there as a scientist while preparing my PhD. EDF R&D co-funded my PhD (through a CIFRE grant). Unlike many stories I heard in other companies (big and small), my management never tried to use me as a cheap engineer. I was hired to do science and research and that is what I did, spending as much time in my academic lab than in the office and doing some worthy, published science. - That is what makes me say that it's one of the last big french industrial group that still does some real, long-term, serious scientific research, both fundamental and applied. I'm not saying they do it perfectly, but most other big french companies just don't do it any more, instead doing product development and labeling it "research". - My direct management were extremely competent (for both technical and human issues), supportive and overall among the best bosses I've ever had. I know from speaking with other people that it's not the case in all teams, but the simple fact that such people do work in this company and are not leaving is a good sign. - More generally, some people here are really really good. Some senior experts, engineers and researchers are gold mines of knowledge and valuable advice. - I also have to commend the excellent work the people there are visibly doing to offer positions to disabled people; it goes much further than what I have seen anywhere else. You keep meeting people in wheelchair, with motor problems, hearing or sight conditions or other severe disability, and they are perfectly integrated everywhere in the company. I really enjoyed working with people who can't interact with the world in the same way as I do, and it made my owm work experience richer. - I also have to point out that I had an good salary for a CIFRE PhD researcher ; I wish all of the other french PhD candidate could have made it in the same material conditions.
Cons
This is the research division of a 150000+ people publicly owned industrial group. Expect some obstrusive bureaucracy, general slowness for taking decisions, and internal politics and rivalries popping up every so often. Also, 85% of the company is state-owned, and you can see it. Energy is a touchy topic, and decisions will often be taken for political reasons more than because they make economic, scientific or ethical sense. It is quite current for projects to be killed or insanely promoted on some arbitrary decision from the top management.