Syndication means I have to find syndicators, split the pot and more importantly align on goals, desires etc. 

You need to have an alignment of interest with anyone you partner with.

To refi out of the Seller Finance doesn't align with her intention of avoiding a large lump sum tax implication. 

Establish your business goals, see if the neighborhood aligns with those goals, do your homework, understand what you are getting into and underwrite accordingly.  

What's a good real estate related job (with decent pay) that might align with an Engineer's skill with numbers and spreadsheets?

There are plenty of markets that make sense for cashflow, you just have to figure out what your goals are and then decide which market aligns with your goals.

The deal size you are looking at is so small that it can't pay for you make regular trips to check on your property, so you'll be relying solely on the team you have chosen to work with.You need to define your goals and make sure they align with your partners'.

Keeps incentives aligned.

NODoes hisasking price align with comps?

I'll throw in another scenario as well - you could rent something in your desired area, and use that $150K to buy an investment property that aligns with your goals, in whatever the best area is for that.