Doing business is divided into two levels, one is to be a decision-maker and the other is a specific manager. These two people need to be taken good care of.
Find the leader first, then the manager; Or find the manager first, and then find the leader. The former comes faster.
Now we can only deal with the agent first. After dealing with him, he will give you advice on how to do things well. If he doesn't want you to succeed, it's no use looking for a leader. As the leader of the company, he must trust his subordinates, not outsiders.
Give the engineer a gift or a promise, the usual means of doing business, and let him finish it. The facts you are telling now will only be made public if they are not solved.