Pilots told you that you would have a better life as an Engineer. How many of those pilots have actually worked as an Engineer. I have done both jobs and I want to be back flying.
What I would say is some of the worst jobs in the world are flying jobs, however some of the best jobs in the world are also flying jobs.
A high majority of engineering jobs are 9-5 (well 8-6 more likely) 75%-90% of the time stuck behind a desk.
Once you experience working full time in flying you can never be happy stuck behind a desk.