You assume projects are fulfilling because they have "public utility" (whatever the fuck that means). That's your assumption, not objective fact.
I would not work on boring ass project with cripping management problems and think that's fulfilling. I assume you have recruiting problems because most people share that sentiment.
People like to work on interesting stuff without much office politics, that is "fulfilling" to them, even if outcome is app that would be "boring" to the outsider.
The no individual code ownership policy is hard to bear for inquisitive minds, though.
Thus the talent shortage.