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I agree with the majority here...ME is the way to go (that's what I did). I specifically agree with Red, try get EE stuff where possible and if not a double-major, at least try to take numerous classes in Control Systems or engineering electronics. It wouldn't hurt to do another focus on fluid dynamics, but most universities a more pushing toward fluid machinery (jet engines, rockets etc) rather than vehicle aerodynamics (with the possible exception of airplane design).
I know you said relocation is not an option but not knowing what options are available in your area, I'll mention that I know at least the Naval Academy has a degree called Systems Engineering (not to be confused with Industrial Systems Engineering or "manufacturing efficiency engineer") that focuses on the practical integration of multidisciplinary systems. System integration is where the rubber meets the road so to speak, and where many businesses fail to "pull it all together" and make a successful product. It wouldn't hurt to look into that, but outside of the military academies I'm not sure who offers such a degree.
I wish you luck but I'll warn you about some college professors. I'm sure you've learned lots of reasons why certain things are done in practice, but a lot of PhD types don't care about practice and expect you to know the fundamental theory driving why things are done. A wise man (fabricator) I once worked with would say "In theory, theory and practice are the same. But in practice, they aren't" and most PhD types either don't care or refuse to believe that.
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