Software engineering or traditional engineering, which would be a better career path in this day and age?

It depends.

Both works. Both could backslash.

You could go into software engineering and be the top 20% software engineers in the world or you could go into "traditional engineering" and be the top 5% in your field in the world.

And, maybe because less people are going into "traditional" engineering roles, if you can achieve top 5% in your field, you could be in high-demand....and command a salary of your dreams...

A lot of maybes...

Good luck

Cheers,

Pascal