NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012 Contractor [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Insurance [Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 15,800,000		$ 2,500,000
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Terms	Pursuant to the bankruptcy, the plant assets were sold for $6,802,000. On December 6, 2011, the court issued an order allocating proceeds from the sale and authorizing their distribution.Of the total amount, $1,054,418 was allocated to ENGlobal.Of that amount, $845,529 is still being held by the court pending the outcome of continuing litigation regarding the claims of one subcontractor. We estimate the court will render a final decision regarding this matter in the fourth quarter of 2012
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	1,054,418
Other Liabilities, Current	1,247,000	706,000	600,000
Insurance Stop Loss, Per Occurrence				200,000
Employee-related Liabilities, Current	$ 10,400,000	$ 13,328,000		$ 1,600,000	$ 1,200,000