How does "Planet Nomads" compare to "Space Engineers", as - of now - it seems like Space Engineers running on No Man's Sky engine? No pun intended, I own and enjoy both SE and NMS.

Well, from what I've read it currently does not. In current build you can't get to space, build space ships or even flying vehicles, only rovers so you're stuck to the surface of the planet you start on. Then again Space engineers has been in early access for 4 years while Planet Nomads just entered it so obviously Space Engineers is more feature complete.

On positive note there seem to have been no problems with game stability unlike with Space Engineers (and number of other survival sandboxes) on it's EA debut. Just have to hope it stays that way as development progresses and game becomes more complex.

edit: someone seem to have just found a way into space on steam forums. Apparently attaching solar beacon into your car will propel you and your car into space. ;-p

Space Engineers has multiplayer support yet. maybe planet nomads will become someday the same features. its just wip status.