Chad Watson Headshot

Chad Watson

Objective

To contribute to Planning Center's mission of empowering churches through innovative, accessible design systems and frontend tools, leveraging my React expertise and hands-on experience with your platform in ministry settings.

Technical Skills

React.js, Next.js, Storybook, GraphQL, CSS/Tailwind CSS, Node.js, Typescript, PHP/CodeIgniter, Ruby on Rails, Java, Python, SQL/Postgres/MySQL, Design Systems, UI/UX Tooling.

Soft Skills

Team Leadership (managed 8-10 engineers), Cross-Functional Collaboration, Public Speaking/Presentations, Problem-Solving in Fast-Paced Environments.

Domain Expertise

Church Ministry Operations, Planning Center (daily user for worship planning), Accessibility Best Practices.

Experience

Software Engineer - IT

Digital Monitoring Products - Springfield, MO
August 2025 - Present

  • Architected custom React.js/Next.js dashboards to display department-specific KPIs, enhancing executive decision-making with intuitive, accessible UIs deployed on displays throughout the building.
  • Developed a responsive React.js application using Google Maps API, Next.js, and Tailwind CSS to visualize thousands of global dealer locations, ensuring UI consistency and accessibility for end-users.
  • Integrated backend services across PHP/CodeIgniter (MVC framework similar to Ruby on Rails), Java, Python, and databases like Postgres/MySQL/Microsoft SQL, managing data flows and custom integrations for accounting, training, customer service, and production departments.
  • Added features and optimizations to a legacy Java-based e-commerce platform, improving user experience for product purchases.
  • Collaborated with external vendors on DMP.com, aligning on frontend standards, iterative improvements, and cross-team maintenance to deliver high-quality web solutions.
  • Excelled in a fast-paced environment utilizing full-stack technologies including Typescript, Node.js, ODBC, PM2, Linux, HAProxy, and Apache.

Associate Pastor of Worship Ministries

LifePoint Church - Ozark, MO
May 2022 - August 2025

  • Utilized Planning Center daily to plan and lead three weekly worship gatherings, collaborating with the lead pastor on service programming and resource management, gaining deep insights into church software needs.
  • Scheduled, trained, and developed a team of 30+ unpaid musicians and production technicians, fostering growth and excellence in a volunteer-driven environment.
  • Led congregation and staff through a 10-month interim without a lead pastor, increasing average weekly attendance through empathetic leadership and holistic problem-solving.
  • Supervised full-time and part-time employees, including worship interns, production leads, and video producers, while overseeing annual budgets totaling ~$30k for music, production, technology, website, media, and events.
  • Oversaw successful $70k upgrade to video systems and stage lighting (2022) and $50k sound system upgrade (2025), coordinating tech integrations to enhance worship experiences.

Software Engineer/Web Development Manager

Digital Monitoring Products - Springfield, MO
August 2016 - May 2022

  • Led implementation of a home-grown design system using Storybook and React Native Web components, establishing frontend standards for consistent, accessible UIs across teams and facilitating component migrations.
  • Managed a team of 8-10 software engineers in developing React-based web and mobile applications for dealers to manage customer accounts and remotely program security systems, resulting in faster feature delivery.
  • Designed and built the frontend of an enterprise-grade web application from the ground up, integrating nearly 100% with a Ruby on Rails backend managed by another team, enabling end-users at major corporations to manage home/business security systems with intuitive interfaces.
  • Collaborated with product managers and executives to deliver high-quality features iteratively, focusing on customer impact and incorporating automated testing/release strategies.
  • Pioneered adoption of cutting-edge technologies like React.js and GraphQL, reducing development friction and improving system maintainability.
  • Featured in training videos and presented at headquarters events and national trade shows in Las Vegas, educating dealers and technicians on software usage.

Front-End Developer

40Digits - Springfield, MO
September 2014 - August 2016

  • Developed dozens of user-facing websites for brands like Chick-fil-A, Wingstop, Sprint, and Convoy of Hope, emphasizing React.js, UI details, and accessibility best practices.
  • Led a team of developers in creating an iOS application for the Kansas City Chiefs and McDonald’s, ensuring seamless user experiences through custom frameworks.j
  • Created a company-specific CLI program with custom build scripts and project configurations to initialize new projects, enhancing developer efficiency and tooling infrastructure.
  • Contributed to open-source projects used internally to streamline development processes.
  • Aided junior developers in growth and led training sessions on emerging technologies like React.js.

Ministry Leadership Experience

Mars Hill Church - Phoenix, AZ; High Street Baptist Church - Springfield, MO;
April 2010 - September 2014

  • Oversaw worship ministries at multiple churches, including music, live production, and service programming using Planning Center, leading services for congregations up to 900 attendees.
  • Grew worship teams from 30 to 80 volunteers, developing leaders and implementing systems for excellence across traditional and contemporary styles.
  • Managed $100k+ renovations of production equipment, led recording of a full-length worship album, and supported campus transitions.
  • Created seven sermon series packages with graphics, videos, and creative elements; built and administered church websites like highstreet.org.
  • Served as Adjunct Professor at Baptist Bible College, teaching 7-18 students to develop contemporary worship bands, honing leadership and public speaking skills.