It sounds like you have it all mapped out. I honestly had to look up the CFR about the Mech. Eng. Degree. I never knew that path existed. You will obviously need the basics which are TWIC and MMC. Since you only need 180 days in the E/R to put with your degree, I don’t see the point in a QMED class. The difficult part will be getting into the E/R as a wiper with no experience. Maybe some company will take a gamble on you. I would say try to get on somewhere in an entry level rating (OS or Wiper) and then try to get your 6 months E/R time after that.