engineer/mba here, and in management. Sadly, these types of decisions happen far more frequently than expected. Sometimes, I just want to get out of it because of bad management decisions. You can't argue with someone who sucked their way up the corporate ladder. It's a futile attempt. And almost every experience I've had, these managers have no clue about engineering, technology, science or chemistry whatsoever.
Making a profit is the goal of companies, and I understand that completely, but at what price do the engineer's recommendations become valid? In this case, the price was seven lives.
I'm curious to know, what was on that shuttle that the launch couldn't be delayed? They scrub missions all the time.