[kscaldef]

a) you've presented a false dichotomy between social comfort and programming skills. FWIW, most of the great programmers I've know were quite socially capable.

b) If you want to advance as an engineer (of any sort, I would say), social skills are nearly mandatory. People who just code well-specified problems, no matter how well, are going to be stuck at the lower tiers of the profession. Being able to talk with your customers (internal or external) and understand, and help them understand, their needs is essential to increasing your value as an engineer.