Engineer suffers trial for right to make initial offer (5,7)
I believe the answer is:
first refusal
'offer' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Offer of privilege' mean 'first refusal' so perhaps 'offer' could also mean 'first refusal')
'engineer suffers trial' is the wordplay.
'engineer' is an anagram indicator.
'suffers'+'trial'='sufferstrial'
'sufferstrial' anagrammed gives 'FIRST REFUSAL'.
'for right to make initial' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for first refusal that I've seen before include "initial disappointment to showjumpers" , "Chance to buy before an offer is made to others" , "Preferential treatment" , "blighting showjumper's debut?" , "Offer of privilege" .)