Kristopher Prince

Location and Scenery: Currently based in Kansas City we are surrounded by trees that change with the seasons and several nearby lakes.

Special Skills: I have a diverse range of skills that blend hands-on craftsmanship with technical expertise. I’m a seasoned React/React Native Engineer, building intuitive, high-performance applications, but I also enjoy working with my hands. Over the years, I've developed expertise in blacksmithing, carpentry, and woodworking, crafting everything from functional tools to custom furniture. I have a working knowledge of mechanical and hardware engineering, and I'm always experimenting with new prototypes or tackling complex engineering challenges. Additionally, I'm passionate about general survivalism and gardening, always looking for ways to be resourceful and self-sufficient. Whether it's building software or building things from scratch, I love solving problems with a hands-on approach.

Fun Fact: I’ve collected a lot of different skills over the years, each one adding a unique layer to what I do. I started off serving as a squad leader in the US Army, deployed for nearly four years, where I led my team through challenging missions and environments. After that, I took on Hollywood as a best boy electric on movie sets, managing lighting and crew to make sure everything ran smoothly during production. Back in Kansas City, I became a bartender and helped open some of the busiest bars in town, learning the art of mixology and managing high-energy, fast-paced environments. I also worked as a carpenter, building scaffolds inside pitch-black power plant furnaces and scaling the tallest buildings in KC, often walking across I-beams or hanging off edges to create a safe work platform for other craftspeople. I also served as a firefighter/medic, providing emergency care in high-pressure situations, where the quick decision-making and calm I developed in the military helped me stay sharp when lives were on the line. On the tech side, I’ve built AI training models, developed a React Native app for Children's Mercy Hospital, and designed a UI and hardware system for a laser engraver that integrates with stepper motors and the laser's native API. Each experience has taught me something new, and I love blending all these skills together in whatever I do.

Favorite Tool or Tech: React w/ Typescript

What do you like to do to unwind outside of work: I like to tinker with just about everything. I'm usually taking something apart, building something, or planning a new build almost always with a kiddo by my side sharing in the discovery and execution. I love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible hiking and camping.

Favorite part of being an Otter? Working alongside some of the smartest and most dedicated professionals I’ve met in the industry and the opportunity to learn new things at any turn.

Short Bio: I jokingly say that I'm preparing for the zombie apocalypse but the reality is that I’m just on a lifelong journey to learn all the things. I spend a lot of my time just hanging out with my kids and teaching them weird things.