I remember well the anecdotes of working for Steve Jobs. Devs sitting through an entire weekend just to make the transition for switching between menu's precise to the millisecond. This one is slightly hyperbole, but the point is standards.
It's no coincidence the ipod is the most famous music player in history ever.
Devs might see the issues with the code, but as you say, a lot off people in high places give 0 shits.
I've had this happen myself at many companies I worked with. I found a way to be more efficient and u get false promises of it being adressed in the future or your advice gets ignored, or dismissed as a waste off time.
At worst u become the know-it-all who "can't let things go". Fun times..
While there are many inexperienced devs. A devs work is only as good as the standards of it's "captain".