Before 1983, he was in charge of the Electricity, Gas and Coal Department of the Ministry of Industry. He joined COGEMA in 1983 as Vice-President of the Natural Uranium Division which was renamed Mining Division in 1990. In June 1993, the mining and enrichment divisions are merged into the uranium division of which Yves COUPIN is appointed Senior Vice-President. Yves COUPIN has also been Chairman of the Management Board of EURODIF between 1996 and 2000.

In June 2000, Yves COUPIN is appointed Executive Vice-President in charge of the Reprocessing, Recycling and Engineering sector of COGEMA. Since June 2002 he is Senior Executive Vice-President of COGEMA in charge of the Sustainable Development and Continuous Improvement.

In February 2003, Yves COUPIN is appointed Senior Vice-President of AREVA in charge of Sustainable Development and Continuous Improvement.