I've started on the LED bandwagon as well, seeing as how you can get them for <$2 apiece nowadays.
I'm also an electrical engineer, and I love to take things apart :). I've disassembled probably 6 or 7 different brands of LED bulbs, looking at the quality of the electronics and the materials. I was very impressed with the dimmable CREE branded bulbs, which I picked up for $2 ea at Home Depot a few weeks ago, but those tend to be more expensive. The diffuser is also glass, while all the others are plastic. Of all the others....well, there's not a whole lot of difference between the regular, non-dimmable ones from Sylvania, Vizta, Westinghouse, or other cheap brands. Some are technically 'better' in terms of having more steady (less flicker) light, based on the electronics inside, but I couldn't tell the difference in real testing.
The cheaper bulbs also tend to be rated for "only" 10,000 hours, while the more expensive ones are rated at 20,000 or more. It's not worth the extra expense IMO. Most LED bulbs I've seen also cannot be used in entirely-enclosed fixtures, so watch out for that.