Transitioning into academic philosophy with an engineering background

It doesn't sound like you are even that sure of this path. Not to mention you have so many misgivings about your own abilities, why should anyone on here try to convince you otherwise? Your interest is not enough of a reason to pursue a PhD and by extension, a master's. You don't get to just diminish the importance of teaching because it doesn't fit this idea you've concocted in your head. Teaching is important, especially if you are going to go on to be an academic. You will not get a job without it. That's just part of the job. Factor that into your decision.

Secondly, you haven't written anything and you've barely read anything. I think you don't yet know enough to have an opinion on whether or not it's a good fit for you. You'll need to read the classics. Even if you get a master's you will. Read the course listings for the program you are interested in--even on here they have a history of science, philisophical theories & methods, and two ethics courses: if you don't see Kant in either of those I will personally pay for that year of tuition. If you don't know that you will engage with the classics, you haven't done your research. That Master's will be specialized, but a PhD will be even more specialized. You will be disadvantaged if you think you can do a better job than someone who has read everybody. You don't have to agree with everyone but the more perspectives you read, the better you can argue your position.

All of this tells me that as is, you are ill-equipped for this decision. If you want to keep pursuing this interest here is where I will suggest you start: Research the program you are going to. Find the courses, professors' bios, and papers they have published. Read the ones that interest you. Read the required literature if you can find it. Read the most interesting book cited on a paper by one of those professors. Or just read the paper. Then write about it. You will need to show you can write. Masters were made for students who either didn't perform well enough in undergrad, or who pursued something else and now want to do philosophy. You only think it's a good idea because you are a bit desperate for a change and because of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Don't dive headfirst into a master's, get your feet wet first and see if it's right for you. Then dive in.

/r/AcademicPhilosophy Thread