Chris is available for hire
Hire ChrisChris Chidgey
Verified Expert in Engineering
React Native Developer
Boise, ID, United States
Toptal member since April 19, 2018
Bio
Chris is an entrepreneur and software developer with a proven track record of building and maintaining mobile apps from concept to app store submission and beyond. Chris is a former corporate manager turned mobile app publisher and developer—with apps downloaded more than 40,000 times per month.
Portfolio
Timmy Gregson
React Native, Firebase, Mobile Development, Flutter, Cross-platform...
KSRE Holdings LLC
React Native, TypeScript, Node.js, Expo, TypeORM, Meilisearch, Stripe...
Net Gains, Inc.
React Native, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, iOS, CTO, React, Node.js, Android...
Experience
- TypeScript - 8 years
- React Native - 8 years
- JavaScript - 6 years
- Firebase - 5 years
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) - 5 years
- Node.js - 5 years
- GraphQL - 4 years
- React - 4 years
Preferred Environment
Back-end as a Service (BaaS), NoSQL, React Native
The most amazing...
...project I've built was a platform for content marketers to distribute their content in a custom mobile app.
Work Experience
Senior Mobile Developer (React-Native and Flutter)
2026 - 2026
Timmy Gregson
- Built GymCrush end-to-end: Expo/React Native, Supabase PostgreSQL with RLS and RPCs, Deno edge functions, Apple and Google auth, realtime chat, and push notifications.
- Put matching logic in the database: ranked discover, same-gym Crush mode, a daily Gym Gems set, instant mutual matches, and gem limits that change with subscription tier.
- Shipped subscriptions full stack: RevenueCat paywall, App Store products, and a webhook that writes entitlements so free users get 1 gem a day and GymCrush+ gets 5.
- Built the product with Claude and Cursor: specs, SQL migrations, edge functions, and React Native screens written and reviewed through an AI coding-agent workflow.
- Hardened a live dating back end: row-level security, redacted location, block and report, account deletion, and integration tests that hit real Supabase policies.
Technologies: React Native, Firebase, Mobile Development, Flutter, Cross-platform, Dating Apps, AI-assisted Development, Early-stage Startups
Senior React Native [Expo] Developer (Design-focused)
2026 - 2026
KSRE Holdings LLC
- Shipped multimodal AI food logging (camera, voice, and barcode) in a production React Native app, with real-time streaming and connections that recover when they drop.
- Architected offline-first health tracking with cloud sync, Apple HealthKit integration, and full-stack features from PostgreSQL to custom data visualization.
- Owned revenue-critical mobile commerce (Stripe payments, referrals/affiliates) and the release setup (OTA updates and multi-provider analytics) for a restaurant and health brand.
Technologies: React Native, TypeScript, Node.js, Expo, TypeORM, Meilisearch, Stripe, HealthKit, AI-assisted Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM Integration, Early-stage Startups
Mobile Tech Lead/Interim CTO
2025 - 2025
Net Gains, Inc.
- Shipped a full social mobile app from scratch. Built Net Gains, a pickleball community app in Expo and React Native, from a blank repo through EAS production builds for iOS and Android, including authentication, scheduling, groups, messaging, and maps, with Mixpanel and Sentry.
- Designed the social scheduling system and built session creation and joining end-to-end, including location, visibility, DUPR filters, and invites via contacts, SMS, or deep links.
- Built location-based discovery with PostGIS, enabling nearby-session and nearby-club discovery on PostgreSQL and PostGIS with Google Places and Maps. Users can find games and clubs using GPS, profile location, or a manual pin.
- Built a multi-community architecture for groups, clubs, and college hubs. Modeled three community layers on shared primitives: groups with roles and phone invites, location-based clubs, and hubs that auto-provision Team and Club groups with a captain hierarchy.
- Built PickleAI, an in-app chatbot for pickleball questions. Integrated OpenAI behind a JWT-gated Supabase Edge Function so API keys stay off the device, with rate limits and content moderation.
Technologies: React Native, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, iOS, CTO, React, Node.js, Android, Back-end, Gamification, Fractional CTO, AI-assisted Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM Integration, Early-stage Startups
Full-stack React Native Developer
2025 - 2025
TAKALLAM LTD
- Took an app built in Replit and built out a robust Supabase back end with robust support for multiple 3rd party services.
- Integrated speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and pronunciation assessment features using Azure.
- Built AI chatbots using OpenAI to create scenarios for users to practice their language skills and receive graded assessments.
Technologies: JavaScript, React Native, API Integration, OpenAI, Typesafe, Node.js, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Supabase, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Text-to-Speech (TTS), Speech-to-Text (STT), Azure, OpenAI API, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Push Notifications, Mixpanel, Analytics, App Store, REST APIs, Cursor AI, Grok, AI-assisted Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM Integration, Early-stage Startups
React Native Developer
2025 - 2025
Sovereign Femininity
- Took an existing semi-functional front end and optimized performance, specifically around AI chatbot integration.
- Added RevenueCat service to support in-app subscriptions.
- Managed TestFlight and the submission process through the approval process.
Technologies: React Native, Supabase, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), AI Chatbots, RevenueCat, Mixpanel, Analytics, App Store, REST APIs, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cursor AI, Grok, AI-assisted Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM Integration, Early-stage Startups
Senior React Native Engineer
2024 - 2024
FullScript - Natural Partners Inc
- Developed and implemented a rating and review prompt, significantly boosting the client app's rating from 2.9 stars with 32 reviews to 4.9 stars with 15,000 reviews.
- Designed and built a daily reminder system using push notifications and deep links to enhance supplement plan adherence, revamped product detail screens, and contributed to additional features such as new tab bars and other UI/UX improvements.
- Collaborated closely with design and product teams to deliver high-visibility special projects, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with strategic goals.
Technologies: React Native, React, JavaScript, Mobile, Mobile UI, Mobile UX, GraphQL, TypeScript, REST, Push Notifications, Mixpanel, Analytics, REST APIs
React Native Developer
2023 - 2023
Pioneer Works, Inc.
- Helped the client evaluate moving a series of successful native apps on iOS and Android to React. Worked through many open questions and built their first React component for production.
- Established initial patterns and React project structure.
- Evaluated various third-party libraries and implemented best fits for future feature development.
Technologies: React Native, Mobile Development, Third-party APIs, Ratings, REST, Analytics, REST APIs
Senior Mobile App Developer
2022 - 2023
P180 Investments LLC
- Built a POC and eventually an MVP the client used to raise funds for a larger implementation.
- Worked with a variety of APIs to help build a proprietary user object.
- Helped define the best approaches for working with many different data types from several sources and implemented them in the project.
Technologies: React Native, Facebook API, Instagram API, Figma, Mobile Development, Third-party APIs, REST, Analytics, App Store, REST APIs
React Native Developer
2022 - 2022
Three Five Two, Inc.
- Helped identify which features or components in the existing app were best candidates for re-architecture and then rebuilt them.
- Tracked and fixed issues screen by screen and feature by feature with a team using Jira.
- Updated legacy libraries with new versions or replaced with newer, better fits for the project.
Technologies: React Native, GraphQL, AWS Lambda, Apollo, Apollo Server, Serverless, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mobile Development, Social Networks, Third-party APIs, REST, Mixpanel, Analytics, App Store, REST APIs, Early-stage Startups
React Native Developer
2021 - 2022
nXlvl Inc.
- Helped build a team of React Native developers, interviewing multiple candidates.
- Worked with photo and video features, including cropping and editing, version control, geolocation, storing and fetching, and optimizing the UX.
- Built the onboarding flow, including the authentication feature.
Technologies: React Native, TypeScript, GraphQL, Mobile Development, Social Networks, Third-party APIs, Ratings, REST, Push Notifications, Mixpanel, Analytics, App Store, REST APIs, Early-stage Startups
Founder | Software Engineer
2016 - 2018
Contenta
- Developed a platform for supporting the clients' published content across a variety of distribution channels.
- Integrated products with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, WordPress, and Libsyn APIs.
- Implemented automated push notifications based on subscription and newly published content.
- Created a dynamic lead capture form integrated via an API with multiple email marketing services (MailChimp, ActiveCampaign, and InfusionSoft).
Technologies: YouTube API, Facebook API, X (formerly Twitter) API, Expo, MongoDB, Express.js, React Native, JavaScript, Node.js, Front-end, Mobile Apps, Mobile, Cross-platform, Mobile Development, Third-party APIs
Founder | Software Engineer
2015 - 2017
BGB Island, LLC
- Developed a popular "celebrity look-alike" app using the AWS Rekognition API.
- Enabled the app to utilize the camera, camera roll, and photo library.
- Implemented an in-app currency and in-app purchases for both coins (consumable) and category unlocks (non-consumable).
- Integrated Google Adwords (now Google Ads), Facebook Audience Network, and Appodeal.
- Received positive feedback and positive in-app experience ratings.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Facebook API, Instagram API, Redux, React Native, JavaScript, App Store Optimization (ASO), Node.js, Front-end, Mobile Apps, Mobile, Cross-platform, Mobile Development, Third-party APIs, REST, TypeScript
Experience
Sample Code
https://snack.expo.io/@chidgeychris/sample-codeA super simple counter app that shows both class-based and functional components, Redux, basic JSX, and how I generally structure my projects.
Follow the below link snack.expo.io/@chidgeychris/sample-code to view a tool called "snack." The tool provides a QR code to test functionality on your device and also has a preview tool: close the QR code overlay and toggle "preview" at the bottom.
Follow the below link snack.expo.io/@chidgeychris/sample-code to view a tool called "snack." The tool provides a QR code to test functionality on your device and also has a preview tool: close the QR code overlay and toggle "preview" at the bottom.
Tim Topham Piano
A content distribution app for a membership site. It has multiple social APIs, Redux, push notifications, and email marketing API integrations. This was developed for iOS and Android.
The cool part of the app from a developer and business perspective is that it was built to be easily rebranded and "rehydrated" for new brands, automatically pulling in all of their public content (blog, videos, and social), theming, and social links.
The cool part of the app from a developer and business perspective is that it was built to be easily rebranded and "rehydrated" for new brands, automatically pulling in all of their public content (blog, videos, and social), theming, and social links.
Celebrity Look Alike
A celebrity look-alike app using AWS machine learning for facial recognition. The app was built with React Native using AWS S3 for image storage and has an average customer rating of 4.2 stars with over 2,900 user ratings.
Other features include Google Analytics, Sentry bug/crash reporting, ratings prompts, and in-app purchases.
Other features include Google Analytics, Sentry bug/crash reporting, ratings prompts, and in-app purchases.
Awesome App | Inspire and Share Positivity
A mobile app for iOS and Android was built using React Native, MongoDB, GraphQL, Express.js (API), and AWS S3 (image storage).
Features:
• Authentication
• Social profiles
• Various actions (follow, following, block, and report)
• Posts (create, delete, and make private)
• In-app purchases (items and subscriptions)
• Animations
Features:
• Authentication
• Social profiles
• Various actions (follow, following, block, and report)
• Posts (create, delete, and make private)
• In-app purchases (items and subscriptions)
• Animations
Quo Finance
A React Native cross-platform financial services app. Built new wireframes with a Firebase back-end, animated charts, and integrations into third-party services such as Plaid for financial data, user authorization, and authentication.
Successfully submitted to app stores.
Successfully submitted to app stores.
nXlvl - Build Your Brand
A cross-platform React Native mobile app using GraphQL, animations, Expo build services, Mux video services, IMGLY media editing, Sentry bug tracking, and much more.
Implemented solutions for video editing, caching fast image downloads and caching, third-party authentication (Facebook, Apple, and Google), deep link routing, toast messages, in-app messaging, and dynamic image resizing and loading.
Implemented solutions for video editing, caching fast image downloads and caching, third-party authentication (Facebook, Apple, and Google), deep link routing, toast messages, in-app messaging, and dynamic image resizing and loading.
Education
2006 - 2008
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Business
University of San Diego - San Diego, CA, USA
1996 - 2000
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
California State University, Chico - Chico, CA, USA
Skills
Libraries/APIs
MobX, Node.js, REST APIs, React, Instagram API, Google Ads API, Twilio API, Facebook API, X (formerly Twitter) API, WordPress API, CocoaPods, Facebook Open Graph API, YouTube API, React Navigation, OpenAI API, Stripe, HealthKit
Tools
Git, Expo, Figma, Mongoose, Sentry, Google Analytics, Meilisearch
Frameworks
React Native, Redux, Express.js, Flutter
Paradigms
Mobile Development, Functional Reactive Programming, REST, Asynchronous Programming, Cross-platform, Testing, Agile, App Store Optimization (ASO), Gamification
Languages
ECMAScript (ES6), ES7, JavaScript, GraphQL, TypeScript, HTML, CSS
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase, iOS, Android, Mobile, Mixpanel, Grok, MacOS, Heroku, AWS Lambda, Twilio, RevenueCat, Typesafe, Azure
Storage
MongoDB, NoSQL
Other
Mobile App Development, Mobile Apps, Ratings, Architecture, Performance Optimization, App Store, Cursor AI, Full-stack, Front-end, APIs, Sports, Social Networks, Third-party APIs, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Push Notifications, Analytics, AI-assisted Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), LLM Integration, Early-stage Startups, Back-end as a Service (BaaS), User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Fintech, Mobile Banking, Cost Accounting, Finance, B2C Marketing, Enterprise SaaS, Statistics, Apollo, Apollo Server, Serverless, Mobile UI, Mobile UX, Supabase, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), AI Chatbots, API Integration, OpenAI, Text-to-Speech (TTS), Speech-to-Text (STT), Full-stack Development, TypeORM, CTO, Back-end, Fractional CTO, Dating Apps
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