For various reasons, I did 2 years out - 1 pre-university and one sandwich year. Although it meant I graduated 2 years later than others (and I did 4 years study as well!), I found that I was more focused on my goal than others and more motivated in my final study years too, because I knew why I was studying.
No small motivation too that the second year out led directly to the job I've been doing for the last 6 years (though not for much longer if some will only give me a plane to fly!)
I would highly recommend getting out for a year - I don't think you'll regret it - indeed it may get exactly where you want to go...
Good luck
PS Worth thinking about whether to do BEng or MEng also - with what you intend to do, I doubt the extra study year is going to pay off and the shorter study could offset the effect of the year in industry.