One also has to wonder if a non-trivial percentage of engineers also end up as not high performers as a direct result of being in an open office and not having

One also has to wonder if a non-trivial percentage of engineers also end up as not high performers as a direct result of being in an open office and not having their own private spaces. I recommend private offices for engineers so they can get heads down and do their work, but sadly that suggestion tends to get ignored :( .