What are the benefits of leveled up scientists and engineers?

[goduranus]

For pilot it's pretty obvious, yet what do scientists and engineers do after they level up?

Edited May 7, 2015 by goduranus

[Kelderek]

You get more science data back for each experiment with a leveled up scientists, something like 5% per level for 25% bonus at level 5. Scientists can also reset the science junior and mystery goo containers so you can reuse them without needing a mobile processing lab (though I'm not sure if they need to be levels up to gain this ability).

Engineers can repack parachutes and repair broken rover wheels. They also improve the rate of ore mining/processing if they are on board.

EDIT: I'm pretty sure these bonuses do not stack if you have more than one of the same class on your ship, the kerbal with the highest skill will be the one that counts.

[SpeedDaemon]

Higher level scientists also improve science/day when researching in the mobile processing lab.

Engineer level also determines what they can repair (I think one-star = repack chutes, two = fix wheels, three = fix landing legs)

[cephalo]

I have a related question, when do you really need an engineer? The pilot is almost necessary, the scientist is useful, but the engineer seems extremely situational and pretty much optional except maybe in hard mode when you don't have do-overs.

[juanml82]

I have a related question, when do you really need an engineer? The pilot is almost necessary, the scientist is useful, but the engineer seems extremely situational and pretty much optional except maybe in hard mode when you don't have do-overs.

You can skip the pilot with a probe core. Engineers are a must for rovers, because you'll certainly break the wheels at some point. The problem with scientists is that, by the time you trained them enough, you already have most of the tech tree unlocked.

[Reddeyfish]

the first time I've needed an engineer was to repack the drouge landing chutes for a survey-kerbin plane. (I can land it without the chutes, it's just harder).

I suppose the first time you absolutely must have one would be a Duna landing, since you can re-use your duna parachutes for your re-entry on kerbin.