They have introduced a limited time event where fewer materials are consumed by engineering.
What if...there was a new rank progression concerning engineering. As you increased in rank, a couple of main things happen. You use fewer materials when engineering and your base level of reputation goes up with all engineers. You gain ranks by discovering and unlocking engineers. So the more engineers you unlock, the higher your rank increases and the higher your starting reputation with them and the less materials you spend.
...or something different from this scheme that uses a new rank system
What if...there was a new rank progression concerning engineering. As you increased in rank, a couple of main things happen. You use fewer materials when engineering and your base level of reputation goes up with all engineers. You gain ranks by discovering and unlocking engineers. So the more engineers you unlock, the higher your rank increases and the higher your starting reputation with them and the less materials you spend.
...or something different from this scheme that uses a new rank system