It is completely inexcusable that people in STEM fields are so reactionary, considering how capitalism utterly destroys science.
If universities were actually "left wing indoctrination factories" like the right thinks they are, every STEM grad would be taught, for example, what Kropotkin had to say about innovation.
I disagree with this in that most engineering companies now have so much change control and documentation required for new designs that it makes it difficult to push "new" bullshit through.
The main capitalism flaw is how engineers are pushed to use "carryover" designs as much as possible and the term carryover gets used too loosely. With exhibit fucking A being the 737MAX. MCAS was a carryover design from the military tanker KC-46. But aside from them not even implementing it properly, it's so disgusting they thought they could use a military bandaid on a civilian product. Military folks are at least aware their equipment will often be optimized with shady design choices that might make them more efficient at striking hospitals. Regular airline passengers deserve to not be subjected to these design choices as just a basic fucking decency. I will forever be salty these Boeing execs will never be extradited to Ethiopia or Indonesia for some real justice.
You are right. Most of the mechanical engineer's work at our place is either making slight mods to enclosures or minor tweaks. It's all calcified, even in our team. There is also a hesitance among the top management to take risks on new projects that the engineering teams all think should happen. Of course, they know better than us.