What role do female engineers play in today's industry? Discover the statistics, the current landscape, and the initiatives Arts et Métiers is taking Arts et Métiers promote gender parity.
French industry is undergoing profound changes. From the energy transition to artificial intelligence, robotics, new materials, and Industry 4.0, companies are seeking—more than ever—professionals capable of innovating and tackling the technological challenges of tomorrow. However, one fact remains: women are still underrepresented in engineering professions. While their presence is growing in both engineering schools and companies, gender parity is still far from being achieved. Gender stereotypes, career choices, and certain barriers encountered throughout their careers partly explain this situation.
What is the role of female engineers in industry?
Long considered male-dominated, engineering professions are gradually changing. Industrial companies, engineering schools, and government agencies are launching a growing number of initiatives to promote gender diversity.
Today, female engineers hold positions in a wide variety of fields: research and development, design, manufacturing, project management, artificial intelligence, energy transition, innovative materials, and aerospace.
This diversity of career paths shows that scientific and technical skills are clearly not tied to gender. Companies are primarily looking for talent capable of innovating, solving complex problems, and driving industrial transformation.
However, despite these changes, women are still outnumbered by men in technical fields.
What are the statistics on the increasing representation of women in technical fields?
The proportion of women in the field has been steadily increasing for several years, but significant gaps remain. The number of engineering degrees awarded in France is rising slightly each year. While the proportion of women in the profession is also growing, the pace of that growth is much slower. Women now account for nearly 30% of engineers across all sectors.
Certain specializations, such as mechanical engineering, materials science, and energy, still have a limited proportion of female students; conversely, fields related to chemistry, biological engineering, and environmental engineering have a higher proportion of women.
Today, industrial companies are seeking to increase this diversity in order to meet their hiring needs. The engineering field is experiencing significant competition in the job market, and qualified candidates are in particularly high demand.
In this context, attracting more women is a major challenge for the future of French industry.
How can we encourage and inspire new vocations?
Promoting gender diversity in technical fields requires taking action from an early age. Career choices develop gradually and are often influenced by the family, school, and social environments. To help young girls envision a career in science, it is essential to introduce them to the diversity of engineering careers and the many opportunities they offer.
The Crucial Importance of Role Models for Young Girls
Role models play a crucial role in shaping career aspirations. Meeting a female engineer, talking with a female researcher, or hearing a testimonial from an alumna helps make these career paths more tangible and accessible.
Both companies and higher education institutions are increasingly highlighting the inspiring career paths of women working in industry, research, aerospace, the digital sector, and the energy transition. These stories show that it is possible to succeed in technical fields while building a rich and fulfilling career.
Alumni networks, conferences, podcasts, and events dedicated to women in science also help highlight these career paths and combat stereotypes.
Awareness-raising initiatives carried out in middle and high schools
Higher education institutions are launching a growing number of initiatives to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering as early as high school. Open houses, science workshops, classroom presentations, immersion programs, and laboratory tours allow students to discover the realities of engineering careers.
At Arts et Métiers, numerous events are organized throughout the year to raise awareness of the school’s programs and promote scientific careers among young people. In particular, the school participates in career fairs, hosts high school girls on its campuses, and encourages interaction between them and its current students and alumni.
These initiatives share a common goal: to demonstrate that engineering programs are accessible to all women who wish to develop scientific, technical, and managerial skills, regardless of their background or the stereotypes they may face.
What about engineering schools?
Engineering Schools: What Is the Percentage of Female Students?
Engineering schools play a vital role in increasing the number of women in science-related fields.
At Arts et Métiers, this approach is fully integrated into the institution’s strategy. The school takes action throughout the entire educational journey to encourage gender diversity, promote equal opportunity, and support female students in pursuing ambitious careers in science. In 2026, female engineering students accounted for 19% of the student body, a figure that has been rising for several years.
Female engineering students benefit from an educational environment recognized for its academic excellence, its close ties to industry, and its practical approach to engineering.
Through its numerous industry partnerships, research laboratories, and technology platforms, Arts et Métiers everyone to develop the skills sought after in the most innovative industrial sectors.
The institution also participates in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting scientific careers among young women, particularly through forums, immersion days, presentations at high schools, and career guidance events.
How Arts et Métiers gender equality in its programs?
Arts et Métiers actively Arts et Métiers to equal opportunity and gender diversity. The school conducts awareness-raising initiatives for middle and high school students, participates in numerous career guidance events, and highlights the career paths of its female students and alumni.
Through a project-based educational approach, close partnerships with businesses, and accredited programs in numerous industrial fields, Arts et Métiers all female students in developing the scientific, technical, and managerial skills sought after by employers.
What initiatives Arts et Métiers implementing?
Elles Bougent: Inspiring Passion, Fostering Careers
As a founding member and partner of the Elles Bougent association since 2008, Arts et Métiers to promoting engineering and technical careers among young women. Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers participate in all events organized by the association. Many of them also get involved as Elles Bougent mentors and share their personal stories.
“Technology, a feminine noun”: inspiring careers to meet the challenges of the industry of the future
Supported by the Fondation Égalité Mixité and the association Elles bougent, the exhibition *Technologie Nom Féminin* aims to highlight the careers of passionate female engineers in order to challenge stereotypes and inspire future careers. Each of the 18 portraits on display serves as a reminder that women have a place in the industrial sector. Technologie Nom Féminin has been on display since 2017 at Arts et Métiers campuses and numerous middle and high schools in France and around the world.
Promoting science and engineering among young people
Arts et Métiers actively Arts et Métiers to promoting the presence and role of women in scientific and technical fields through several initiatives:
- Science Festival: Arts et Métiers the journeys of female students and engineers through workshops, lectures, and demonstrations, with the aim of promoting gender diversity in scientific and technical fields.
- School Visits: Middle and high school students are invited to the Arts et Métiers campuses Arts et Métiers learn about engineering careers, meet female role models, and participate in interactive activities designed to inspire future careers.
- "Promo AM": Students are involved in mentoring and leading workshops in middle and high schools across France to share their experiences, inspire younger generations, and encourage interest in science and technology.
Equity Week
Several female studentsArts et Métiers in a special event dedicated to raising awareness about gender diversity, in collaboration with the Elles Bougent association.
FAQ: A Woman Engineer's Career Path
Which engineering fields have the highest proportion of female students?
The proportion of women varies by field of study. Programs related to chemistry, biological engineering, environmental science, materials science, and agri-food generally attract more female students. Conversely, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, and certain energy-related fields still have fewer female students, even though their appeal is growing every year.
Which organizations support female engineering students?
Many organizations are working to promote gender diversity in science and engineering. They offer awareness-raising activities, mentoring, opportunities to meet with female professionals, and programs designed to encourage young girls to pursue studies in science. These initiatives help foster career interests and support female students throughout their academic journey. Arts et Métiers to promoting engineering and technical careers among young women in partnership with the organization Elles Bougent.
What are the career opportunities for a female engineer?
Women who graduate from engineering schools can work in a wide variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, energy, rail, healthcare, the environment, digital technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, construction, and manufacturing. They can hold positions in research and development, production, quality assurance, consulting, innovation, project management, or technical leadership.
Are companies hiring more female engineers?
Yes. Faced with recruitment challenges and diversity issues, many companies are seeking to increase the representation of women in their technical teams. They are developing inclusive hiring policies, mentoring programs, and initiatives that support career advancement in order to achieve lasting progress toward gender diversity in engineering professions.
