Should not consider this kind of situation on only a 3-way relationship: Boss A, employee B, and yourself. The company or the group will never die with or without this project, you are not important to the company or to your boss any way from what you described. Need to collect the following information: 1. If take it and finish it, is it good or bad to your and your friends in this company. You need to talk to your friends within the company 2. How probable you can finish it well 3. What is the success rate you get credit after you finish it? 4. What is the best time to take this project? I know some experienced engineers will never take a dying project unless the top level management recognizes the bad situation and all people are waiting, they always say do the right thing in the right time. Being cooperative is good but it relies on the cooperation of your boss and his folks. Being too nice without principles and working hard mean cheap, yes CHEAP.