Engineers need to learn the art of building social and political capital. Also patience. Just the finances, scientific mindset and a moral conscience doesn't get you real change. I have seen too many bright people "rant and run" when confronted with morally ambiguous/uncomfortable situations. The only way to deal with this, if you really believe in something, is to stick around and convince others in the group, one by one, over the long term. There are no shortcuts or hacks to this process.

That doesn't asnwer any of the questions.

Welcome to the real world.