Going back to Engineering...

JoeLinux writes: "I am a Systems Engineer for a Big Engineering Company(tm). I've been in the position for four years after getting my undergrad in E.E. I've finally come to the conclusion that I will never see any form of technical challenge despite the continued promise of such. The problem is that almost all engineers usually make the transition the other way (E.E. to Systems). Seeing as Systems is looked at as a possible gateway to the dark side (Management), is there any going back to "real" engineering? Have any readers successfully made the transition? How do you justify what would typically be considered a step "back"?"