Nuclear Energy, for all its benefits, requires multiple regulatory pathways for clearance that ensure safe disposal of nuclear waste, both conventional and radioactive.
Sriram Venkatesan, our next pathbreaker, works as Radiation Protection Engineer at Green German Reengineering GmbH, an organization that safely dismantles/decommissions nuclear facilities.
Sriram talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about pivoting to the field of nuclear science after working at TVS Motor Company for a couple of years following his graduation !
For students, we may not always have a clear idea of our career or education paths, but its always helpful to keep our long-term goal in sight.
Sriram, can you share your background with our young readers?
My name is Sriram Venkatesan, and I am from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Growing up, I moved around different parts of Tamilnadu, which gave me a broader exposure to various cultures and taught me how to adapt to new situations. It was not always easy, especially having to leave behind friends and start over in new schools but it sparked my interest in learning new things and staying curious.
As a child, I was deeply fascinated by science, especially physics and chemistry. I loved reading biographies and life stories of scientists and dreamed of becoming one myself. Outside of academics, I am an avid sports fan and enjoy watching cricket and football, and playing badminton.
What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?
I completed my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from KPR College in Coimbatore. I was part of the very first graduating batch fondly called the “golden batch”! Initially, I wanted to study physics because I was drawn more to pure science than to engineering. However, I chose engineering as a practical way to finance my dream of pursuing a master’s degree later.
After graduation, I worked at TVS Motor Company for a couple of years. Then I pursued my master’s in Nuclear Science and Technology at Chalmers University in Sweden, supported by a scholarship that made it financially possible. After graduating from my master’s program, I decided to pursue a PhD in Switzerland. I accepted the opportunity with great excitement. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons and circumstances beyond my control, I did not complete it. Completing a PhD remains one of my long-term goals, and I hope to make it happen someday.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Nuclear Technologies?
My early love for science and reading biographies of famous scientists shaped my interest in physics. Over time, this interest narrowed down to nuclear science and the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.
My mother has always been my biggest inspiration. She could not pursue higher education due to financial constraints, and that made her deeply invested in my learning journey. My parents gave my sister and me the freedom to choose our own paths. Her support and encouragement played a major role.
Another key mentor was my boss at TVS Motor Company, Mr. KN Manohar. His leadership and guidance taught me values I still carry today. I often ask myself, “What would KNM do?” when facing tough decisions.
Receiving a scholarship from Chalmers University in Sweden was a major turning point. It reduced my financial burden and made it possible for me to pursue a master’s degree in Nuclear Science and Technology something I had dreamed of for years.
Also, leaving TVS was a big decision. I was cruising at TVS and felt like everything was laid out in front of me to achieve, so my VP told me, “If you’re already comfortable in a position at a young age, you’ll never achieve anything bigger than you can.” That gave me the push to pursue my dream. Even though I did not pursue a bachelor’s degree in pure science, which would have provided a stronger foundation for nuclear physics, I chose to follow my passion.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? (Career Path)
After engineering, I joined TVS Motor Company as a Project Engineer. It was my first professional experience, and I was a blank slate. I worked in the Project Management department but often shadowed colleagues from other departments to learn more and gain insights into their operations, which I felt was important for a PM to know. TVS is one of India’s largest automotive manufacturers, and the exposure was incredible.
My approach was simple: learn by doing and connect with people. More than technical knowledge, it was my ability to build rapport and network that helped me succeed. I felt secure under my boss’s leadership, and by the end of my first year, my tasks were running smoothly, like a well-oiled machine that is the Indian automotive industry. Though the job was not aligned with my dream of working in nuclear science, it helped me save money for my master’s. TVS even offered sponsorships for master’s programs at prestigious universities, but they were not in nuclear science. I chose to follow my passion, even if it meant taking a risk.
To find the right course/university, I used the internet extensively, reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn or through personal contacts, asking practical questions, and attending education fairs. That is how I discovered Chalmers University at a QS fair in Bengaluru.
Since I was looking only for nuclear engineering courses, there weren’t a lot of good option and I absolutely wanted to avoid USA. I chose Chalmers ahead of Politechnico Milano as I felt it had a bigger exposure and Sweden had a strong nuclear industry compared to Italy. In Sweden, I applied only to two universities, KTH and Chalmers. Chalmers was my first priority as I felt I had a bigger chance of receiving a scholarship from Chalmers which I eventually received. I don’t know about the criteria for that.
I completed my master’s in Nuclear Science and Technology at Chalmers University in Sweden. Some courses were fun, some were difficult, but overall, it was a great experience. The program included many practical sessions in laboratories. One of the most memorable moments was a field trip to a nuclear research facility, where I had the opportunity to operate a research reactor at CEA Saclay near Paris, France. As part of the sustainability program, I had the opportunity to attend a climate conference in Paris as a student delegate representing Chalmers University. It was an inspiring experience to participate in discussions on climate issues alongside fellow student delegates from across Europe, while also engaging with dignitaries, government officials, policy think tanks, and leaders from various industries.
I specialized in radiation damage in materials, which became the topic of both my master’s thesis and my PhD. I studied how different types of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation like alpha, beta, gamma, or neutron radiation affect materials such as steel, which are widely used in nuclear reactors. By understanding this damage, we can predict long-term effects, improve reactor safety, and plan maintenance more effectively. This research plays a key role in ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power plants.
Though I could not complete my PhD, the experience taught me resilience. I felt a change might help, so I moved to Germany, where I now work.
How did you get your first break?
TVS was my first break. I started out as an apprentice trainee, which is a 1 year fixed contract, not a graduate trainee. Later I was taken into the payroll as an employee. TVS is a big company with traditional values, and I was a young graduate from a new college. It was intimidating at first, but my boss supported me, and I quickly found my footing. The experience shaped my work ethic and values.
What were the challenges? How did you address them?
Leaving TVS and moving to Sweden for my master’s was a significant decision, but I pushed ahead. It was not easy in Sweden, as my program had only five students, and I was mostly alone for two years. I struggled to connect with others, since most had already formed social groups within their master’s programs. The isolation affected my mental health, as I am quite a social person. The challenges I faced in Sweden were amplified in Switzerland, and the onset of COVID-19 only worsened the situation.
Moving to Germany was another major risk. It meant adapting to a new environment and learning a difficult language, which had never been a concern in academia. I began learning German before relocating and can now hold professional conversations, albeit with occasional mistakes. The German job market presents its own challenges, particularly due to language requirements, differing workplace ideologies and interview approaches. However, this varies by sector, for example; IT tends to be more flexible with the language requirements.
Regardless of the country or culture, living away from friends and family is always difficult. At the same time, it is possible to build new friendships in the place you live. Sports and hobbies are powerful connectors that help bring people together.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I work as a Radiation Protection Engineer at Green German Reengineering.
Green German Reengineering focuses on safely dismantling/decommissioning nuclear facilities. Our customers are mainly government agencies, energy utilities, and waste management organizations involved in nuclear phase-out projects (Germany has shutdown all of its nuclear power plants). The goal is “Grüne Wiese” which translates to “Green meadow” which is what is left after the safe dismantling of the facility and disposal of its waste, both conventional and radioactive.
I am very happy to be working in the field I always aspired to and at my company. My role involves ensuring that materials, equipment, or areas exposed to radiation are safely released for unrestricted use, reuse, or disposal, in accordance with strict legal and technical standards.
What are the skills required for your role? How did you acquire them?
The job requires knowledge or radiation physics, German radiation protection regulations and state guidelines. German language skill is a must as everything is handled in the so-called official (Amtssprache) or bureaucratic (Behördendeutsch) German. My firm supported me a lot with the learning process.
I write and review clearance cases (Freigabe), plan for measurements, prepare documentation, and coordinate with teams and authorities. It is a mix of technical work and regulatory compliance. It involves a significant amount of bureaucracy and paperwork, which is considered sacred in Germany. However, in a field like nuclear energy, I believe such rigor is justified. Depending on the nature, origin, and presence or absence of radioactivity, there are multiple regulatory pathways for clearance. It is an annoying yet fascinating maze of guidelines and regulations, intricately woven with science and engineering.
How does your work benefit the society?
There are both direct and indirect benefits to my work. Directly, I help protect people and the environment from unnecessary exposure to radiation (for e.g. radiation exposure from Cobalt-60 at the Mayapuri scrap market in Delhi). Indirectly, this contributes to building public trust in nuclear energy as a safe and reliable non-fossil fuel source for electricity generation. It is a meaningful way to support a safer and more sustainable world.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
During my time at TVS, I handled all engineering change requests (ECRs) for the scooter models. One project that stands out involved a design change to a component that could be implemented across the entire TVS vehicle range, including the three-wheeler segment. Unlike most ECRs, which are typically cleared within a couple of years, this particular project had been stuck in corporate and bureaucratic limbo for almost a decade.
It was a high-impact proposal, once implemented, significantly reduced costs and improved reliability across the entire product portfolio. My boss decided to take ownership of the project, pushed for clarity, and I worked across departments to implement it. To move it forward, I had to escalate the issue and take it up directly with the vice presidents who headed the relevant departments. Navigating that level of leadership as a 22-year old and pushing for action taught me how to advocate for long-overdue but valuable engineering solutions. It remains one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
We may not always have a clear idea of our career or education paths. I just tried to keep my long-term goal always in my sight. Sometimes it also good to know where our limits are, reconsider our goals and come back to fight another day. I try to connect with people and ask questions in my workplace primarily to learn and to gain different perspectives. Though I had my fears and doubts, I just kept pushing forward.
Future plans?
Learn another language, maybe pursue my Moby Dick again, the PhD!