[satyrnein]

Indeed the culture you describe does not sound healthy! In theory, Engineering does not report to Product, it is a partner with an important perspective, and can negotiate prioritizing certain projects without subterfuge.

In low trust environments, all engineering-led projects that Product/"the business" don't understand are assumed to be low value. Sometimes this is unfair, but sometimes it is warranted. Poor engineering leadership will green light all sorts of counterproductive "silver bullet" projects.