Linear algebra does seem to be a hard wall I've seen many smart software engineers hit. I'd honestly love for someone to study the phenomenon and figure out why this is.
Linear algebra is a relatively straight forward subject. I won't say easy because there are bits that aren't, and I struggled with it when I was first exposed to it in college. But in graduate school revisited it and didn't have a problem.
So, I really agree that it's about timing and curriculum. For one, it appears somewhat abstract until you really understand geometrically what's happening.
So, I surmise that most non-mathematicians don't have quite the mathematical maturity to absorb the standard pedagogy when they first approach the subject.
It seems wild to me since linear algebra is at the heart of basically all modern mathematics (alright maybe not all but so many things exhibit linear behavior, that it's still useful). Don't most CS majors require some math today? Linalg is like first year college, right?
Yes, but most people, like me, never gain even remotely intuitive understanding of it and quickly forget it after passing a few dreadful exams. Just like with most other math.