How to get engineering research?

[Droll]

Apparently i need this to be able to craft copper alloy plates but i have not idea what it is.

[Smiley]

Its the red thingy , i think i found it at the wayward outpost.

But it might be anywhere where u can buy the books, i dunno

[boring_person_dude]

I may be a bit late but I want to say that engineering research and ancient books can not be bought, however, you can find them in ancient labs somewhere north

[Droll]

More specifically you can find 5-6 in an ancient workshop