Github is a very, very special company, and there aren't many companies out there that operate this way. Unless the organization as a whole adopts the philosoph

Github is a very, very special company, and there aren't many companies out there that operate this way. Unless the organization as a whole adopts the philosophy you're looking for from the top down, this kind of freedom usually doesn't exist. I think a good start is to begin early and search for companies that fit your criteria, then find ways to demonstrate why you would be a good employee to those companies directly. Don't go through the normal channels; find a way to stick out and be seen before you even apply. Best bet: contribute a ton to a high-profile, well-known open source project that will stick out like a bright, shining beacon of light to your potential employers.