Problems stem from upper management all the way down to middle management. Engineering from the bottom to middle management sees the challenges and issues but is not allowed to voice these concerns. It could be a misguided project, a bad process, or corruption. Upper management just doesn't want to hear it, and if one brings it up, one places a target on one's back for retribution. There is no open door. There's nepotism, favoritism, and inner circles; it's rampant. Some call it campus culture; either live it or get out of the campus.
I've never understood why there are so many contract engineers. There's a divide between full-time engineers and contract engineers; not all, but some contract engineers simply work for the paycheck and nothing more. When a concern is raised, "I'm just a contractor."
I've been told not to disturb the sh-t pile, as it stinks. Be a passive follower, and one will be rewarded; just don't break the crust on that old pile of sh-t, as it's decades old.