thats a bit narrow minded.
being an engineer myself and having permission to do rotors running ground run I find it extremely useful. and Im sure the pilots and the company appreciate not having to spend duty time on waiting around for us to do adjustments, leak checks ect. at all hours of the day.
we receive a start up course, get examined by the training captains on a regular basis. get quizzed on emergencies and procedures.
some of my coworkers have more experience in starting a helicopter let alone fly it than some of the company's FO's
so given the right training and procedures. I see absolutely no reason what so ever, that the local CAA's should put a stick in this.
if the insurance company is aware of this I do not foresee any issues.
Att SASless, thinking that engineers doing ground runs will impact the salery is IMO a bit paranoid. as we can still not do test flights. so I wouldnt worry.