Christopher is available for hire
Hire ChristopherChristopher Canin
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Engineer and Developer
San Diego, CA, United States
Toptal member since June 22, 2026
Bio
Chris is a senior software engineer with seven years of experience in React Native and React development for clients including Clerk, Starz, and Blue Label. His primary expertise is in React Native, Expo SDK, and analytics integrations for enterprise mobile applications, where he thrives in remote, cross-functional teams. Chris grew the React Native SDK from a minor initiative into a flagship offering while at Clerk.
Portfolio
Toptal
React Native, Expo, Node.js, TypeScript, Stripe, iOS, Android, PostgreSQL...
Clerk
React Native, iOS, Android, Expo, Next.js, TypeScript, React, Google Analytics...
Starz
React Native, Expo, Android, Kotlin, Amazon Vega, TypeScript, React, TestFlight...
Experience
- TypeScript - 8 years
- Next.js - 8 years
- Expo - 8 years
- React - 8 years
- React Native - 8 years
- iOS - 6 years
- Android - 6 years
- Express.js - 5 years
Preferred Environment
React Native, Expo, React, Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, Express.js, NestJS, Swift, Kotlin, MacOS
The most amazing...
...SDK I have built is Clerk's Expo SDK, which became a flagship product through a new partnership integration.
Work Experience
React Native Full-stack Developer
2026 - 2026
Toptal
- Handled React Native (Expo) development for Quikcent, a payments app for small businesses, with Tap to Pay, manual card entry, QR checkout, in-app purchases, and instant payouts through Stripe Connect and Stripe Terminal.
- Partnered with client leadership to turn business goals into shipped features, pricing and fee models, and design updates for launch.
- Refactored peer-to-peer transfers and payment flows to meet legal and regulatory requirements for money movement and data handling.
Technologies: React Native, Expo, Node.js, TypeScript, Stripe, iOS, Android, PostgreSQL, Stripe API, Near-field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Fastify, Fintech, Payments, User Experience (UX), Calendars, Google Play API, OAuth, AI-assisted Development, Microservices, System Design, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Mobile, Networking, Linear, GitHub, Back-end, APIs, Technical Leadership, Mobile Architecture, AI Automation, App Submission
Senior Software Engineer
2025 - 2026
Clerk
- Built Clerk's Expo SDK, offering a full JavaScript version as well as bridging the native iOS and Android Clerk SDKs into a React Native Turbo Module and Expo config plugin for native SDK usage in React Native.
- Shipped native component theming, organization selection, magic links, Apple and Google sign-in, and additional SSO providers.
- Resolved customer support tickets daily and partnered with the documentation team to write and maintain SDK documents.
- Grew the React Native SDK from a minor initiative into a flagship offering, including the support of a new partnership integration with Replit.
Technologies: React Native, iOS, Android, Expo, Next.js, TypeScript, React, Google Analytics, TestFlight, Figma, JavaScript, CSS, Git, Tailwind CSS, Jest, SDKs, Front-end, Mobile Development, Push Notifications, SMS, Claude Code, MacOS, App Development, UI Design, User Experience (UX), Kotlin, Location Services, SwiftUI, App Store, Mobile App Development, Google Play Store, Mobile GPS, AI Integration, API Integration, WebRTC, WebView, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Role-based Access Control (RBAC), RESTFul APIs, Relational Databases, Web Development, Node.js, Large Language Models (LLMs), PostgreSQL, REST, LinkedIn API, Webhooks, CI/CD Pipelines, Fastlane, App Store Connect, Stripe API, Cloudflare, Google Search Console, Google Analytics API, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Calendars, Google Play API, OAuth, AI-assisted Development, Microservices, System Design, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Mobile, Networking, Linear, GitHub, Back-end, APIs, Technical Leadership, Mobile Architecture, AI Automation, App Submission
Senior React Native Developer
2024 - 2025
Starz
- Completed React Native port of Starz 10-Foot television application for the next-generation of Amazon's Fire stick hardware OS (Vega OS).
- Architected and implemented a comprehensive analytics solution integrating the Google Analytics suite and proprietary streaming metrics.
- Spearheaded cross-functional collaboration with Amazon on React Native implementation for a new OS platform.
- Facilitated technical workshops with Amazon and led the development team.
Technologies: React Native, Expo, Android, Kotlin, Amazon Vega, TypeScript, React, TestFlight, Jira, Figma, JavaScript, CSS, Git, Atlassian Suite, Tailwind CSS, Firebase, Jest, WebSockets, Real-time Data, Front-end, Mobile Development, Supabase, Push Notifications, SMS, Claude Code, MacOS, App Development, UI Design, User Experience (UX), App Store, Mobile App Development, Google Play Store, AI Integration, API Integration, LiveKit, ReplayKit, WebRTC, WebView, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Full-stack, Full-stack Development, RESTFul APIs, Relational Databases, Web Development, Node.js, Large Language Models (LLMs), PostgreSQL, REST, Webhooks, CI/CD Pipelines, Fastlane, App Store Connect, Google Analytics API, Calendars, Google Play API, OAuth, AI-assisted Development, Microservices, System Design, Mobile, GitHub, APIs, Technical Leadership, Mobile Architecture, App Submission
Development Lead
2022 - 2024
Blue Label
- Guided technical teams for full lifecycle development of multiple React Native applications, including a 6-person team for the BounceBack App and a 5-person team for the Adrennial App.
- Collaborated with diverse clients to deliver mobile solutions aligned with business requirements.
- Architected AI solutions by integrating ArcGIS land maps with LangChain and Milvus.
- Developed contextual chatbots with document processing capabilities.
Technologies: React Native, LangChain, Expo, Swift, Kotlin, Android, iOS, Next.js, TypeScript, React, Express.js, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, TestFlight, Jira, Milvus, Figma, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, SQL, MySQL, Redux, Skia, Git, Atlassian Suite, Tailwind CSS, Firebase, Jest, GraphQL, Node.js, WebSockets, Real-time Data, Front-end, Stripe, Twilio, Mobile Development, Supabase, Push Notifications, SMS, GPS, MacOS, App Development, UI Design, User Experience (UX), CoreLocation, Video Capture, Location Services, SwiftUI, App Store, Mobile App Development, Google Play Store, Mobile GPS, AI Integration, API Integration, LiveKit, ReplayKit, WebRTC, WebView, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Role-based Access Control (RBAC), RESTFul APIs, Relational Databases, Web Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), PostgreSQL, REST, Webhooks, CI/CD Pipelines, Fastlane, App Store Connect, Stripe API, Cloudflare, Google Search Console, Google Analytics API, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Calendars, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Authentication, Firebase Cloud Functions, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), Google Calendar API, Google Play API, OAuth, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Azure, Microservices, System Design, HIPAA Compliance, Mobile, Networking, GitHub, Back-end, APIs, Technical Leadership, Mobile Architecture, AI Automation, App Submission
Software Engineer
2021 - 2022
Contract
- Performed React Native development for MyDoge Wallet, 7Now Delivery, and the University of Cambridge/University of Iowa BabySteps app.
- Created custom components, animations, native modules, accessibility improvements, and security remediation.
- Engineered Mixpanel, NewRelic, and data analytics within React Native applications.
- Implemented CI/CD pipelines using Heroku, GitHub Actions, TestFlight, Jira, Confluence, and GitLab.
Technologies: React Native, Mixpanel, TestFlight, Jira, GitLab, Expo, React, Next.js, iOS, Android, TypeScript, Express.js, Google Analytics, Figma, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, SQL, MySQL, Redux, Skia, Git, Atlassian Suite, Storybook, Tailwind CSS, Firebase, Jest, GraphQL, NestJS, WebSockets, Real-time Data, Front-end, Stripe, Twilio, Mobile Development, Supabase, Push Notifications, SMS, MacOS, App Development, UI Design, User Experience (UX), CoreLocation, Location Services, Swift, SwiftUI, App Store, Mobile App Development, Google Play Store, Mobile GPS, API Integration, WebRTC, WebView, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Role-based Access Control (RBAC), RESTFul APIs, Relational Databases, Web Development, Node.js, PostgreSQL, REST, Webhooks, CI/CD Pipelines, Fastlane, App Store Connect, Stripe API, Cloudflare, Google Search Console, Google Analytics API, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Calendars, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Authentication, Firebase Cloud Functions, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), Google Calendar API, Google Play API, OAuth, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Azure, Microservices, System Design, Mobile, Networking, GitHub, Back-end, APIs, Technical Leadership, Mobile Architecture, App Submission
Software Engineer
2018 - 2021
Self-employed
- Performed full-stack development with React, Next.js, WordPress, and custom site development.
- Built websites for several businesses, including a web component for the Cayman Islands Government Chamber of Commerce and SuperApps.com.
- Developed a React Native and React Native for Web boilerplate for small business app development, used by TVPal and SkateApp.
- Implemented SEO, digital marketing, mailing campaigns, and hosting using Google Analytics, Google AdWords, Facebook Ad Manager, Mailchimp, NGINX, and Digital Ocean.
Technologies: Next.js, WordPress, React Native, Google Analytics, NGINX, React, Expo, TypeScript, Express.js, Mixpanel, TestFlight, Jira, Figma, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, SQL, MySQL, Redux, Git, Atlassian Suite, Firebase, Jest, GraphQL, NestJS, Node.js, WebSockets, Real-time Data, Front-end, Stripe, Mobile Development, Push Notifications, SMS, MacOS, App Development, UI Design, User Experience (UX), CoreLocation, Location Services, App Store, Mobile App Development, Google Play Store, API Integration, WebView, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, RESTFul APIs, Relational Databases, Web Development, PostgreSQL, REST, Webhooks, CI/CD Pipelines, Cloudflare, Google Search Console, Google Analytics API, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Calendars, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Authentication, Firebase Cloud Functions, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), Google Calendar API, Google Play API, OAuth, System Design, Mobile, Networking, GitHub, Back-end, APIs, Technical Leadership, Mobile Architecture, App Submission
Experience
SkateApp
https://skateapp.netSkateApp is an iOS and Android application written in React Native that helps skateboarders find skate spots around the world. I created this app many years ago as a playground to test new features, development, and tooling. I still use it today for this purpose, but now it has a few thousand users per week.
Education
2016 - 2018
Associate Degree in Business Administration
University of Idaho - Moscow, ID, USA
Skills
Libraries/APIs
React, Node.js, React Query, Google Analytics API, Google Calendar API, Google Play API, Skia, Stripe, WebRTC, LinkedIn API, Stripe API
Tools
Google Analytics, TestFlight, Jira, Git, Atlassian Suite, Expo, Claude Code, WebView, Prisma, Fastlane, Firebase Authentication, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), GitHub, GitLab, NGINX, Figma, CoreLocation, Shadcn UI, Vitest
Languages
JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, Swift, Python, SQL, Kotlin, GraphQL
Frameworks
React Native, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Jest, SwiftUI, Redux, Express.js, NestJS, ReplayKit, tRPC, Ruby on Rails (RoR), .NET, Fastify
Paradigms
Mobile Development, App Development, REST, Microservices, UI Design, Role-based Access Control (RBAC), Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), HIPAA Compliance
Platforms
iOS, Android, Mixpanel, Firebase, MacOS, Mobile, WordPress, Twilio, LiveKit, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure
Storage
Relational Databases, PostgreSQL, Cloud Firestore, MySQL
Other
Amazon Vega, Front-end, Push Notifications, SMS, User Experience (UX), App Store, Mobile App Development, Google Play Store, Mobile GPS, AI Integration, API Integration, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Full-stack, Full-stack Development, RESTFul APIs, Web Development, Large Language Models (LLMs), Webhooks, CI/CD Pipelines, App Store Connect, Cloudflare, Google Search Console, Calendars, Firebase Cloud Functions, OAuth, AI-assisted Development, System Design, Technical Leadership, APIs, Back-end, Linear, Mobile Architecture, AI Automation, App Submission, Storybook, WebSockets, Real-time Data, Supabase, GPS, Video Capture, Location Services, Zustand, Networking, LangChain, Milvus, SDKs, Near-field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Fintech, Payments
Collaboration That Works
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
1
Share your needs
Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.
2
Choose your talent
Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.
3
Start your risk-free talent trial
Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring