I thought maybe someone else would give you the finger wave but I guess I'll have to do it.
I take it you have MX background and a A&P certificate right? The reason why I suggest you go to UPT and let the military give you your initial experience is because first, although Flight Engineering is an honorable profession, it is a dying profession. And since Atlas has parked a bunch of their 74 Classic freighters, that means there are a lot of FE's with far more experience than you out on the streets.
If you decide to get out, it will be difficult to rack up enough flying time to get into a decent paying gig like FEDEX, UPS. I'm talking 10 years if everything goes PERFECT. In the military, especially the Air Force, you can get enough PIC time to step out and go into a good paying job in maybe 6 years.
I did 20 years in the Air Force, got a nice retirement, and no regrets.