Join the incarcerated-led innovation lab partnering with the Governor’s Office, eL Seed, FaithXLVII, and other visionaries to to tell the story of incarcerated led justice reform.
About the Opportunity
San Quentin SkunkWorks is the first incarcerated-led innovation lab — a collaboration between incarcerated creators and allied professionals reshaping how justice reform happens. Our work had received national recognition from The LA Times, CalMatters, and Chess.com. As the state prepares to open its new $300M Education & Vocational Center, our work has become a focal point in the national conversation about prison reform.
Now, we’re building a new digital platform to connect all of it — showcasing the people, programs, and partnerships driving transformation from the inside out.
We’re looking for a senior-level UX/UI or frontend developer to architect that platform. Someone who sees design as a form of systems change.
What You’ll Do
- Join a small, high-caliber team of Silicon Valley software engineers working side-by-side with incarcerated technologists at San Quentin
- Define the site architecture and information flow for a multi-stakeholder audience — incarcerated innovators, policy partners, funders, and the press.
- Create design systems, wireframes, and navigation patterns that unify storytelling, research, and advocacy.
- Build accessible, responsive frontend components (React, Next.js, or similar).
- Collaborate with our graphic designer, communications lead (former Salesforce/Zscaler comms director), and incarcerated design team.
- Help shape a digital experience that matches the scale and visibility of our mission.
What You’ll Gain
- Creative ownership of a high-visibility launch tied to statewide media and policy coverage.
- Collaboration with global artists (eL Seed, Zio Ziegler, FaithXLVII) communications strategists, and incarcerated designers working inside San Quentin.
- Real-world experience using design as advocacy — turning interface into social infrastructure.
- A portfolio piece with measurable public impact and national press visibility.
Commitment
- Remote (U.S.-based); Bay Area proximity a plus.
- 4–6 hours per week, flexible schedule.
About San Quentin SkunkWorks
San Quentin SkunkWorks is a nonprofit innovation lab uniting incarcerated leaders and allied professionals to co-design and test solutions that transform the justice system from the inside out.
🌐 sanquentinskunkworks.org