An approach which I've had much success with is to make friends with people much higher in the chain and 100% ignore the office politics bullshit happening at y

An approach which I've had much success with is to make friends with people much higher in the chain and 100% ignore the office politics bullshit happening at your level. i.e. don't participate in rumour spreading, never talk negatively about co-workers, try and be positive even under adversity. Also, maximize your social, non-work, contact with co-workers. Go with colleagues when they get coffee, regularly go to Friday night drinks. If there's only 1-2 layers between you and the CEO, then try and talk when him or her on a regular basis. Make an effort to remember what they are doing in life (perhaps he / she takes their kids to football practice multiple times a week). If you're in a larger organisation make an effort to become friendly with people outside of the Engineering chain of command.