I am always being bombarded with different "buy more for less" options in any store I enter. All of those "3rd item free", "second item 50% off"...
The thing is that company is hunting for better value, and you are looking for a better deal.
If company can get 2x engineers' production at lower cost, you are only more valuable than having 2 engineers producing as much if you are cheaper. Your added value is this extra 1x production, but if you are selling "that" at the same price, they are just as well off by hiring two engineers instead of you: there is no benefit to having you over them.
If you can do it cheaper, then you are more valuable the cheaper you are. Which is why I said 1.5x cost is splitting the value/cost between you and the employer.
The thing is that company is hunting for better value, and you are looking for a better deal.
If company can get 2x engineers' production at lower cost, you are only more valuable than having 2 engineers producing as much if you are cheaper. Your added value is this extra 1x production, but if you are selling "that" at the same price, they are just as well off by hiring two engineers instead of you: there is no benefit to having you over them.
If you can do it cheaper, then you are more valuable the cheaper you are. Which is why I said 1.5x cost is splitting the value/cost between you and the employer.