For those hitting this thread in 2020, there is Unreal HQ work for importing Objects via Python hooks and FBX.
Currently they are focusing on objects, scaling, basic shader (Principled BSDF shader) and texturing, LOD, Rig import (Rigify), and Animation Actions.
https://forums.unrealengine.com/unreal-engine/events/1715661--to-unreal-tools-part-1-february-6-live-from-hqhttps://.com/watch?v=c3_xUMQ6hhs
Also there is some awesome work using DataSmith from:
https://github.com/0xafbf/-datasmith-export
And a single object import/export script that works well:
https://github.com/xavier150/-For-UnrealEngine-Addons