James Snyder
About James Snyder
James Snyder serves as the Chief Architect at DISCO, where he has worked since 2018. He has extensive experience in engineering and architecture roles across various companies, including 21CT, UnboundID Corp., and Civitas Learning, and holds advanced degrees in Computer Science and Computational Design.
Current Role at DISCO
James Snyder serves as the Chief Architect at DISCO, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he has guided the architecture of the company from its start-up phase to its initial public offering (IPO). His focus includes platform convergence utilizing cloud technologies. Snyder has been instrumental in defining critical platform capabilities such as Embedded Product Analytics and Scalable Micro-tenanted Configuration, which enhance the overall functionality and performance of DISCO's offerings.
Previous Experience in Technology Leadership
Before joining DISCO, James Snyder held various leadership roles in technology. He served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President of Engineering at 21CT from 2012 to 2013 and again from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, he worked as Chief Architect at Civitas Learning from 2016 to 2018 and as Principal Engineer at UnboundID Corp. from 2009 to 2010. His experience spans multiple companies and positions, showcasing his extensive background in engineering and product development.
Educational Background and Qualifications
James Snyder has a robust educational background in computer science and computational design. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, followed by a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science from the same institution. He also achieved a PhD in Computational Design from Carnegie Mellon University. His academic credentials provide a strong foundation for his work in technology and architecture.
Architectural Innovations and Contributions
Throughout his career, James Snyder has contributed to significant architectural innovations. He played a key role in integrating AI technologies into LegalTech products, particularly through Retrieval Augmented Generation using VectorDBs and LLMs. Snyder has developed scalable architecture practices based on Distributed Domain Driven Design and Design By Contract, inspired by concepts from Uber. His efforts have focused on enhancing team velocity and quality through established architecture practices.
Key Projects and Initiatives
James Snyder has led various projects that emphasize scale and affordability in LegalTech. His research and development efforts have enabled precision search and scale-out processing, which are critical for modern legal technology solutions. Additionally, he designed and maintained an Architecture Naming system that integrates documentation, team ownership, FinOps, and Cloud Tagging Strategies, ensuring clarity and efficiency in architectural practices.