February 18, 2024, through February 24, 2024, is National Engineers Week! The celebration is one of the largest annual STEM events in the United States. It commemorates the accomplishments of engineers and technologists and serves to introduce K-12 students to engineering and technology.
For this National Engineers Week edition of Trek Tuesday, we’re spotlighting eight Star Trek engineers from across the Franchise. Did we include your favorite engineer? Be sure to let us know in the comment section.
Montgomery “Scotty” Scott
The engineer who started it all. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (James Doohan) served as the Chief Engineer on the USS Enterprise for an interval of over three decades. Naturally, this meant he took part in a variety of adventures. This included being possessed by the spirit of Jack the Ripper (seriously).
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Scotty appears in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, in all of the original crew Star Trek movies and in Star Trek: Generations. Furthermore, he appeared in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, “Relics,” which reveals the latest known canonical chapter of this legendary figure’s long road, getting from there to here.
Geordi La Forge
Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) is one of the best-known Star Trek engineers and with good reason. Over the course of TNG, he progresses from the position of helmsman to Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise-D and USS Enterprise-E. He appears in TNG and all of the TNG crew movies.
In Star Trek: Picard, it is revealed La Forge is subsequently promoted to the rank of commodore and given command of the Fleet Museum. There, he uses his impressive skills to rebuild the damaged Enterprise-D. This is integral to saving the day in the final episode of Picard, “The Last Generation.”
Miles O’Brien
La Forge isn’t the only engineer to start from humble beginnings and work his way up the ranks. Miles O’Brien (Colm Meany) is originally introduced as a transporter bay attendant on TNG. However, he subsequently transfers to the titular space station from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where he is promoted to chief engineer.
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A quote from The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko by Derek Tyler Attico expands on the transfer. Sisko states, “I was surprised to learn this gem was being wasted in the Enterprise‘s transporter room.” Fortunately, O’Brien’s abilities prove to be an integral component in the ongoing functionality of Deep Space 9.
B’Elanna Torres
Initially, B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) isn’t even a member of Starfleet. Instead, she’s a member of the Maquis crew that is lost in the Delta Quadrant alongside the USS Voyager in “Caretaker.” However, because Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) elects to integrate the survivors of both crews, Torres becomes the chief engineer for Voyager during the ship’s journey back to Earth.
According to supporting material for Star Trek: Prodigy season 1, Torres continues to work on special projects with Janeway after the Voyager crew returns to the Alpha Quadrant. Can we expect to see more of her in Prodigy season 2 when it arrives on Netflix later this year?
Charles “Trip” Tucker
It isn’t easy being first. Just ask Charles “Trip” Tucker (Connor Trinneer), the chief engineer of the NX-01 Enterprise on Star Trek: Enterprise. Over the course of this series, we see Tucker establish many of the engineering protocols that will be upheld by every other engineer on this list. Ever wonder who designed the all-important Starfleet captain’s chair? Check out Enterprise season 2’s “Singularity.”
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Initially, Tucker has an arrogant “flyboy” personality. However, after experiencing severe personal tragedy in Enterprise season 2’s finale, the character undergoes significant growth. While he might take something of a fall, it’s extremely inspirational to see how he rises from the ashes. Despite an opportunity to transfer to another ship, Trip continues to play an integral role on the Enterprise for the duration of the series.
Jett Reno
Jett Reno (Tig Notaro) is first introduced in Star Trek: Discovery season 2’s “Brother.” In that episode, the USS Discovery rescues Reno from the asteroid-stranded wreckage of the USS Hiawatha. It is soon revealed that Reno had used her engineering acumen to survive for over ten months.
Reno subsequently joined the crew of the Discovery. Her engineering abilities have proven invaluable in the intervening years. Even Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) must begrudgingly admit his respect for the sweet-toothed Reno. Despite Notaro’s busy schedule, Reno played a key role in Discovery season 4’s finale, “Coming Home.”
Andarithio “Andy” Billups
On Star Trek: Lower Decks, Andarithio “Andy” Billups (Paul Scheer) is the chief engineer on the USS Cerritos. Among all of the senior staff who serve under Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis), Billups may be the most outspoken about the lack of respect given to California class starships.
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But in Lower Decks season 2’s “Where Pleasant Fountains Lie,” it is revealed that Billups is a member of the royal family on the planet Hysperia. Founded by “Renn Faire types,” Hysperian law dictates Billups must ascend to the throne once he loses his virginity. However, Billups must follow his heart. Rather than ever having sex, he’s devoted himself to maintaining the Cerritos warp core. But don’t worry: he isn’t lonely, thanks to his extremely friendly pet ferret, Lancelot.
Jankom Pog
On Prodigy, the role of chief engineer goes to Jankom Pog (Jason Mantzoukas). The surname “Pog” is given to Tellarites, who are “short in size and vocabulary.” An orphan, Pog was cryogenically frozen and sent to space, where he was to be forced into menial labor. However, after being thawed early, he hones his engineering skills while protecting the remaining sleeping crew. He is subsequently captured and incarcerated by The Diviner (John Noble).
Nevertheless, as part of the USS Protostar crew, Pog finds his purpose. Along with Rok-Tahk (Rylee Alazraqui), Pog is instrumental in ensuring the Protostar crew makes it to Earth. But in “Supernova, Part 2,” we see that Starfleet is able to help Pog move beyond his “percussive maintenance” technique, learning more subtle engineering skills. What new heights will Pog reach in Progigy season 2?
The Star Trek shows are currently available for streaming on Paramount+, except Star Trek: Prodigy, which is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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