[MRM]

As a veteran of many corporate political battles and considerably older than you, I agree with Mr. Reid's post above. You're in a new position in a new plant where your reputation is just being formed. The reputation you develop here will follow you for the rest of your career. This is the reputation that is being spread throughout the plant right now whether you want it too or not.

Old engineers are curmudgeons and even their management doesn't like to be around them and they tell stories of their eccentricities to their manager friends. But old engineers are one of the most valued commodity in manufacturing facilities and you get on the wrong side of the fraternity at your peril. One of the most prized reputations is the reputation for having good judgment. You may be judged as having brilliant technical skills but your judgment will be questioned if you can't defuse the mild ravings of an over-the-hill almost retired engineer who has nothing better to do than complain to the youngsters about how they're not respecting their compatriots.

Remember that you're the new guy. Bite your lip if you have to but learn how to get along without picking fights with old-timers. You will not win in the long term and you have a long career ahead of you.