It's something that comes with experience.

If you've had projects like this in the past you'll recognise the early warning signs (eg. hard deadline before (even rough draft) requirements are available).

You'll know it's time to start the job hunt early because there's no way it can work unless you work yourself 24/7 into the ground.

It's not about accepting defeat, it's about accepting you are worthy of something better.

That right there. Failing impossible tasks is not a personal failure and nobody should waste their personal life on these tasks out of some sense of 'pride' or 'loyalty'. The failure lies purely with the person who made those plans. They are the ones who failed _you_, not the other way around.

> You'll know it's time to start the job hunt early because there's no way it can work unless you work yourself 24/7 into the ground.

Note that in this case there’s no way it can work period. The product is useless and worthless. The ring that beeps differently depending on the color of objects it hits? How much would you pay for it?

Loyalty is demanded by employers from employees, especially when unpaid overtimes are demanded. However when it's employers turn to reciprocally show loyalty to the employees it usually doesn't work. You aren't getting bonuses for your last year's unpaid overtimes when the company starts getting profit from your job. You need to beg for unpaid time off when you need to do anything at your home despite working many unpaid overtimes. You aren't getting salary rise for your hard work. You are being treated as disloyal replaceable resource. You need to be on a job hunt constantly.

I would look it more like what freelancers have to do. Keep marketing yourself. The process of job hunting can clue you into trends and keep you current. I worked with someone who modernized our tech stack due to things he learned on a job search where he never left due to that search!

IMO nobody should "give their best" at a job they feel has enough red flags to warrant a search for a new one.

I agree, so I'd quit and find something better. That's all I'm saying: it's one or the other, not both (for me).

If you're in a privileged position of quitting, then sure.

I personally know better not to judge people who are not.

A job doesn't deserve more from you than it gives you.

I didn't mean to be judgemental, I was just reflecting on my personal situation and experience. I started off by saying: [theirs] may be good advise. Sorry if that came across differently.