Then don't - it's your choice. The Engineer content is intended to give you samples of all activities in ED.
Exactly right. Engineering is optional content, but I think you'll see that for most of us we have decided that the effort is worth the reward.
Didi is a particularly valuable engineer, since she does shield boosters. Every commander, every ship, is different, but in my fleet no module outnumbers shield boosters, so I find her services invaluable.
To get to her though you need to unlock Selene Jean. Selene Jean requires that you have mined 500t (Ashnak's point about showcasing various Elite activities)
To get to Selene Jean, you need to unlock Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn, who requires a few bounty vouchers (more of that activity spread)
To get to The Blaster, you need to do, well nothing, just start. See, it's not so bad.
Engineering is a long-haul objective. Many feel it is well worth it since the payoff in ship performance and capability is vastly improved. But there are few shortcuts in the engineering game. Up to you whether you feel it is worth it, but if you asked for my advice? Start getting those bounty vouchers. Good luck with whichever path you choose, and welcome to Elite Thaurane.