If RAF leaders were still promoted on the ability to deliver operational effect, engineers would be more valued. As a member of the aircrew fraternity I had the deepest respect for my spanner wielding colleagues at Odiham, and we all worked and played well together because we understood each others contribution (there were exceptions on both sides, but they were the exception and broadly detested by all) . Today's leaders have a completely different set of deliverables, and that consigns engineers (and personnel in general) to line items on a spreadsheet.
I feel for the engineering trades, they will always have my respect. But LAME's on the outside are respected - I'll just put that out there.....