Engineers are highly specialized operations officers trained to keep systems and equipment running at maximum efficiency. They are responsible for shipwide systems, such as the electroplasma system, the FTL drive, and the core engines, as well as repairing individual systems.
They repair equipment damaged by ion storms or battle damage, calibrate lateral sensors and engine injectors, cobble equipment together from scratch, and generally make sure everything runs without a hitch.
As experts in the practical application of science and mathematics, engineers play a vital role in most missions. When confronted with strange alien technology-ancient androids, mind transference devices, time machines-the engineer has the best chance of understanding how it works and devising ways to defeat it.
During exploration missions, their skills may be required to find pragmatic solutions to unusual hazards-discovering the cause of a space funnel, relieving tectonic pressure on an unstable world, escaping a booby trap, or defeating an insane, intelligent computer.
Good at problem-solving, the engineer finds a way to track an hidden ship, escape the grasp of a godlike being, or reinitialize the FTL drive in minutes.
On defensive missions, they are indispensable for repairing battle damage, getting critical systems back on line, and squeezing out the last hit of efficiency from ship's systems."
No matter the adventure, when unique solutions are called for, the engineer stands at the ready.
Intellect is the favored attribute of engineers, since they regularly apply scientific principles to practical applications. As with all starship officers, Agility, Strength, and Vitality make good choices for the character's second favored attribute (especially for those who plan to see a lot of action). Dangerous radiation, hazardous materials, and potentially life-threatening situations (such as coolant leaks) make Stamina the engineer's favored reaction.