FWIW: I'm also an engineer, also 28, also in the Bay Area, also with a "six figures" salary. (But no, I'm not at Cisco.
)
I looked at becoming a pilot back in 2002-03, even before all the current sh*t hit the fan, and even back then I decided it wasn't worth it. I finished my private about a year ago, and mainly fly for fun, on the weekends. I still have idle fantasies of becoming a professional pilot and flying the big iron, but after reading this (and other) boards, I know I made the right choice.
The way I see it, I make enough extra money as an engineer that I can fly fairly frequently if I want to, and I get to do it on my terms... over the Golden Gate and out to Half Moon Bay at sunset, rather than the 11pm Saturday night run from Fresno to Bakersfield.
That said, YMMV. If it's truly your dream, follow it. But choose wisely. :-)