I can understand why your default viewpoint values applied math.

But the fact that you know more of the math that you value doesn't mean that you know more math than the other person that you're dealing with. The areas of math that you know is a much smaller part of math than you likely realize.

OTOH I definitely hear your doubt of non-engineers in engineering positions. But Andrew Grygus has some things to say on that topic that I hope you hear some day...

Cheers,
Ben