I can strongly recommend taking advantage of the engineering salaries while you have access. 15 years in and I finally quit my software career to start up a homestead/farm with no debt.

Closest I've come to a new job so far was almost taking a job at a local sawmill, I just haven't quite tied up my own projects yet to commit the time. Its run by an older local guy who has been milling for decades. The list of things I could learn from him is very, very long and access to good lumber is a great perk.