If they're using a Mac that doesn't allow changing the screen lock duration, that Mac likely has MDM software installed that controls which apps they can run. I don't know if Caffeine is on that list.
They are really not restrictive overall, especially for software engineer's computers, but I would still have imagined that a tool which allows us to bypass some restriction specifically put in place would be blocked.
I guess since that security can be defeated by a long YouTube video they didn't see the point.
I didn't know caffeinate was a thing though, that's good to know.