Clone engineers, who were also known as combat engineer clone troopers, represented specialized clone troopers within the Grand Army of the Republic. Their expertise lay in military engineering, performing repairs, and handling demolitions, thus providing crucial support to the Galactic Republic's military efforts during the Clone Wars against the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Even after the rise of the Galactic Empire, these clone engineers remained in service under the Imperial government.
The Grand Army of the Republic employed clone engineers, sometimes referred to as combat engineer clone troopers, who were a specialized type of clone troopers. These engineers excelled in military engineering, which included conducting field repairs on vehicles, structures, weapons, droids, and various other equipment essential to the Grand Army's operations.
During their training on Kamino, prospective clone combat engineers were randomly selected and developed a keen understanding of vehicles and their unique characteristics. Their expertise extended to construction and equipment modifications, with one notable instance involving a group of engineers who successfully transformed an A5-RX battle tank into an A5-RX spread-missile battle platform amidst ongoing combat. Functioning in a supportive capacity within the Grand Army, clone combat engineers were frequently assigned to armored divisions and units that relied on heavy vehicles or artillery emplacements. Additionally, their proficiency in demolitions made them valuable for scanning and neutralizing roadside explosives during troop movements.
Throughout the Clone Wars, various units utilized clone engineers, including the 501st Legion, the 38th Armored Division, and the 38th Division's Combat Engineer Battalion—a unit comprised entirely of clone combat engineers.
Clone engineers utilized both the standard Phase II clone trooper armor as well as a modified version of the armor that featured a ribcage-shaped chestplate design and a more rounded helmet with two visors instead of the standard single T-shaped visor. The armor could be customized with markings to show the unit affiliation, as seen in the 38th Armored Division's brown markings. Clone trooper commander Faie went further, customizing his clone engineer armor with a white cloak.
During the Clone Wars, combat engineer clone troopers were equipped with a variety of weapons, including the DC-15S blaster carbine, the DC-15A blaster rifle, shotguns, and detonation packs. They also utilized specialized support equipment, such as the F-187 fusioncutter for repairs, and ammo and bacta canisters which were distributed to other troopers during combat. Republic Troop Transports were sometimes used to deploy clone engineer units.
Clone engineers were already active by 22 BBY, participating in the Battle of Thule during the Clone Wars. In that battle between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, they were tasked with destroying several shield generators on the planet, thus making it vulnerable to attack. In 21 BBY, one year later, clone trooper sergeant Gaffa, along with other clone engineers from the 38th Armored Division, used a modified A5-RX spread-missile battle platform of their own design to assist in repelling Separatist boarders on the Twilight.
Throughout the Clone Wars, clone combat engineers continued to serve, taking part in the Battle of Kashyyyk, the Battle of Mygeeto, and the Battle of Utapau.
Following the activation of Order 66 in 19 BBY by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, clone engineers from the 501st Legion were involved in Operation: Knightfall, assisting in the execution of Jedi within the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
After the rise of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY, clone engineers remained in service as Imperial clone stormtroopers under the new regime. They were tasked with finding and disposing of explosives for Darth Vader before an ambush on Kestavel, where they were all killed after being ignited with engine fuel.
The Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game, developed by Pandemic Studios and published by LucasArts in 2002, marked the first appearance of clone engineers.
The original concept art for Commander Faie, created for the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, served as the basis for the design of clone engineers. Although these designs were ultimately unused in the film, they were later adapted to create the appearance of clone engineers in the video game Star Wars: Battlefront II, which was also developed by Pandemic Studios and published by LucasArts in 2005.