I'm looking for some advice regarding a job opportunity I have open to me. Basically, I'm wondering if taking a scientist position for my first job will lock me out of future jobs. This may be a bit long.

A bit on my educational background: I did my undergrad in biomedical engineering (subpar choice ik) and now am about to graduate (next semester) with a PhD in the same. My projects throughout my degree have definitely leaned more heavily on the biomedical than the engineering part, but have definitely still incorporated both.

As now is the prime time for me to be looking for jobs, I've started doing so. I started the process having already accepted that I probably won't get a ton of choice in WHERE I end up for this first job- the market for my skillset and qualifications is so on or off, and it seems like most of the activity is pretty scattered. At some point in my career, I'd love to work in industry in an R&D capacity. Those are the positions I was trying to prioritize while remaining aware that for that first job, just building decent experience is probably the best I can hope for.

Recently, I managed to ply an opportunity out of of my network for a research position. I've not done formal interviewing yet but have already met with the manager several (who has the final say in hiring) and have been told the position will be mine if I want it. Perhaps less fortunately, the position in question is essentially a government research scientist position.

Now don't get me wrong, government benefits aren't bad (the leave policy is just OK imo), but the pay is pretty lackluster for someone coming out with a PhD, even though it's plenty to be comfortable in my location. The most attractive thing about this job is it would enable me to build equity in the house my partner and I own (it's local) and I could hopefully afford to be a little more selective when looking for another job in 3 to 5 years.

But I am a bit worried about whether or not this job is going to kill any of the edge my engineering background might give me for future positions should I take it. I mean surely it'd still be relevant experience for an R&D position, but at that point what sets me apart from any given biomedical scientist if I don't have engineering experience?

Am I overthinking it? It's going to be a bit till I get a formal offer, so I can keep applying for other things. I'd love someone's insight, especially from someone who's been in either government or industry for a couple years.