NOTE 7 - LINE OF CREDIT AND DEBT (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012 PNC Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Wells Fargo Credit Facility [Member]	Aug. 01, 2011 Wells Fargo Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Ex-Im Bank Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	7.00%		7.00%		4.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			Effective June 20, 2012, upon defaulting on the PNC Credit Facility, the interest rate increased from 5.0% to 7.0% (the default interest rate is 2.0% higher than the applicable facility rate).			Loans will bear interest at (a) the sum of the Alternate Base Rate (defined as a fluctuating rate equal to the highest of (x) the commercial lending rate of Agent as publicly announced and in effect on such day, (y) the daily federal funds open rate as quoted by ICAP North America, Inc. in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%, and (z) the Daily Libor Rate plus 1% (with the Daily LIBOR Rate determined by taking the LIBOR rate published in the Wall Street Journal and dividing it by a number equal to 1 minus the reserve percentage on that day as determined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve), plus the Applicable Margin (defined below) for Domestic Rate Loans or (b) the sum of the Eurodollar Rate (defined as a fluctuating rate determined by Agent by dividing the quoted LIBOR rate (as selected from a variety of sources) by a number equal to 1 minus the reserve percentage on that day as determined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve), plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans
Interest Expense (in Dollars)	$ 0.6	$ 0.3	$ 1.3	$ 0.7
Line of Credit, Term						3 years	28 months
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity (in Dollars)						35.0	25.0	35.0	9.5
Line of Credit Facility, Description						Lender's Commitment Percentage of the lesser of (a) $35.0 million less the maximum undrawn amount on all outstanding letters of credit, or (b) an amount equal to the sum of: (i) up to 85% of Eligible Receivables, plus (ii) up to the lesser of (x) up to 85% of Eligible Extended Term Receivables or (y) $3.0 million, plus (iii) up to the lesser of (x) up to 85% of Eligible Government Receivables or (y) $800,000, plus (iv) up to the lesser of (x) 75% of Eligible Unbilled Receivables or (y) $8.5 million; provided, however, that no more than $800,000 of the amount resulting from the calculation of this part (iv) may be attributable to Eligible Unbilled Receivables owed by Government Customers, plus (v) up to the lesser of (x) up to 50% of Eligible Costs in Excess of Billings or (y) $4.0 million, minus (vi) the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all outstanding letters of credit, minus (vii) such reserves as Agent may deem proper and necessary in the exercise of its discretion.
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral						loan agreement are secured by a first priority perfected lien against any and all personal property assets of the Company (other than certain excluded property, including certain accounts receivable related to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pledged under the Ex-Im Transaction Specific Credit Agreement dated as of July 13, 2011 between ENGlobal US and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association).			$2.3 million in cash
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						May 29, 2015
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms						Maintain as of the last day of each applicable period a Tangible Net Worth at least equal to the amount set forth for such period: (a) for each of the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2012, September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2012, a minimum Tangible Net Worth of 90% of the Tangible Net Worth of the Company on a consolidated basis on the Closing Date, and (b) for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2013, and as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, a minimum Tangible Net Worth equal to that required on December 31 of the immediately preceding fiscal year plus (i) 75% of the Company's after tax net income for such year if such after tax net income is greater than $0, or (ii) $0, if the Company's after tax net income for such year is less than or equal to $0. Maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1.00, measured as of (a) June 30, 2012, for the fiscal quarter then most recently ended, (b) September 29, 2012, for the two fiscal quarter period then most recently ended, (c) December 31, 2012, for the three fiscal quarter then most recently ended, (d) March 31, 2013 and as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, for the four fiscal quarter period then most recently ended. Maintain at all times Average Excess Availability of not less than $3.5 million measured monthly as of the last day of the month. Not permit the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Company's performance of its Caspian project obligations to exceed the aggregate amount of cash receipts attributable to the Caspian Contracts by more than the following amounts: (a) for the month ending June 30, 2012, $6.5 million, (b) for the month ending September 29, 2012, $1.0 million, and (c) for the month ending December 31, 2012, $0. The Company will not be party to mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, reorganizations or similar transactions. The Company will not sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of their properties or assets (subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Loan Agreement). The Company will not contract for, purchase or make any expenditure or commitment for capital expenditures in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 and in any fiscal year thereafter, in an aggregate amount in excess of $3.5 million. The Company will not declare, pay or make any dividend or distribution on any shares of common or preferred stock or use any funds, property or assets to repurchase or otherwise retire any common or preferred stock.			The Company will not be a party to mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, reorganizations or similar transactions. The Company will not contract for, purchase or make any expenditure or commitment for capital expenditures in any fiscal year, in an aggregate amount in excess of $3.5 million. The Company will not incur any indebtedness except for (a) ENGlobal's liabilities under the PNC Credit Facility, and (b) any other liabilities of ENGlobal not to exceed $1 million in indebtedness in any 12 month period for the unsecured financing of insurance premiums. The Company will not declare, pay or make any dividend or distribution on any shares of common or preferred stock or use any funds, property or assets to repurchase or otherwise retire any common or preferred stock. The Company will maintain as of the last day of each applicable period a Tangible Net Worth ratio not greater than 2.25 to 1.0. The Company will maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.75 to 1.00, measured as of each fiscal quarter end commencing September 30, 2011, determined on a rolling 4-quarter basis.
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance						The Company did not provide a foreign good standing certificate for ENGlobal US issued by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of the State Illinois within 14 days of the closing of the PNC Credit Facility.The Company filed the amended and restated franchise tax filings with the Illinois Secretary of State on July 20, 2012. Since that time, the Company has received and responded to additional information requests from the Illinois Secretary of State.As of the date of this filing, the Company was continuing to work with the Illinois Secretary of State to obtain the foreign good standing certificate. The Company did not maintain Tangible Net Worth, as of September 29, 2012, of at least 90% of the Borrowers' Tangible Net Worth as of the closing date of the PNC Credit Facility. The Company did not maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1.00 measured as of September 29, 2012, for the two fiscal quarter periods then most recently ended. The Company did not maintain Average Excess Availability of not less than $3.5 million for the fiscal monthly period ended August 25, 2012. On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement and Forbearance Agreement (the "Forbearance Agreement"), with the Lenders regarding the PNC Credit Facility.Under the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, the Lenders agreed to forbear, during the Forbearance Period (as defined below), from exercising their rights and remedies, under the PNC Credit Facility, with respect to events of default, including those discussed in Note 7. The "Forbearance Period" commenced on the Effective Date and ended on October 31, 2012.On October 30, 2012, the Forbearance Period was extended to November 15, 2012.On November 14, 2012, the Forbearance Period was extended to November 30, 2012 (or earlier should any forebearance default occur). In addition, under the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, the Company retained, for the duration of the Forbearance Period, a turnaround consultant toprovide a turnaround or exit plan, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and services as are reasonably necessary to facilitate the Company's ability to operate in compliance with the terms of the loan agreement. In addition, under the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, during the Forbearance Period and subject to the other conditions set forth in the loan agreement and the Forbearance Amendment, Lenders may, in their sole and absolute discretion, make revolving advances to the Company in such portions and at the times set forth in the loan agreement, which advances will bear interest at the default rate of interest (currently 7%). As of the result of covenant violations, including those described above, the Company is currently in default under the terms of the PNC Credit Facility.As of the date of this filing, the Agent has not taken any action with respect to the Company's defaults and the Company was actively discussing with the Agent the terms under which such defaults may be cured or waived.Although the Company is in active discussions with the Agent, if the Company is not successful in obtaining the cure or waiver of such defaults, at the end of the Forbearance Period, the Agent may exercise any and allrights and remedies available to it, including demanding immediate repayment of all amounts then outstanding or initiating foreclosure or insolvency proceedings. In such event and if we are unable to obtain alternative financing, our business will be materially and adversely affected, and we may be forced to sharply curtail or cease our operations.			The Company did not maintain a Tangible Net Worth ratio greater than 2.25 to 1.0. The Company did not maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.75 to 1.00 measured for the rolling four quarter period ended September 29, 2012. As of the result of covenant violations, including those described above, the Company is currently in default under the terms of the Ex-Im Bank Facility.As of the date of this filing, Wells Fargo had not taken any action with respect to the Company's defaults and the Company was actively discussing with Wells Fargo the terms under which such defaults may be cured or waived.Although the Company is in active discussions with Wells Fargo, if the Company is not successful in obtaining the cure or waiver of such defaults, Wells Fargo may exercise any and all rights and remedies available to it, up to and including terminating the Ex-Im Bank Facility. In such event and if we are unable to obtain an alternative facility, our business will be materially and adversely affected, and we may be forced to sharply curtail or cease our operations.
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding (in Dollars)									$ 9.1