I think the engineering world is actually quite hard... especially if you're in hardware design. It sounds like you are. I've found it tough to find a good work environment for mechanical design. When I went to engineering school, I always imagined myself designing machines, but now I'm starting to wonder if there are better options out there.

I've found myself looking for other jobs within engineering, have you considered that? Quality Engineering, Process Engineering, or even technical writing / documentation work can actually be quite satisfying.

Alternatively, have you explored working for a start-up? My experience is that the environment is much more down to earth and there's less bureaucracy, but the quality of life is extremely dependent on the culture of the company. My last two jobs have been with startups, and I think it's worth considering, but it's really not for everyone.