Design Technologist

SanMar • Issaquah, WA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design Technologist is a key member of the Apparel, Bags and Accessories Design team, working at the intersection of design, technology, and innovation. The role helps the design team make effective use of Adobe Creative Cloud, explores ways AI can support fashion design workflows, and builds systems and templates to help the team work more efficiently.

The Design Technologist develops and maintains reusable assets, templates, automations, workflows, and documentation; supports and trains designers, assistant designers, and merchandisers; and pilots emerging technologies for the broader Design Studio roadmap. The position partners with the Design Operations Manager and fashion design and merchandising teams to identify needs, address workflow inefficiencies, and deliver practical, designer-friendly solutions. Other duties may be assigned, and the employee must comply with all policies and standards.

This is a hybrid role based in SanMar’s Eastpointe office in Issaquah, Washington. Employees work in the office Tuesday through Thursday each week, with additional days possible based on business needs. Standard hours are 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PST, and periodic travel may be required.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of experience in a creative/design technologist, production design, design operations, or creative services role, ideally in fashion, apparel, or related consumer goods, or equivalent education.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
• Hands-on experience with data merge, master pages, paragraph and character styles, and template systems.
• Demonstrated interest in and experience using AI tools for fashion design or creative workflows, with work samples or examples showing applied use.
• Process orientation and experience building SOPs, templates, or documentation that teams can adopt.
• Familiarity with file and folder management systems such as SharePoint, Box, or Google Drive, and project management tools.
• Clear written communication skills and the ability to document workflows so others can follow them.

Nice To Haves

• Background in B2B apparel, licensed brands, corporate uniforming, or a similar industry.
• Experience with project management tools, preferably Asana.
• Exposure to 3D apparel tools such as CLO 3D, Browzwear, or Substance, or AI fashion tools such as Vizcom, Midjourney, or Adobe Firefly.
• Familiarity with digital asset management platforms, including tagging, metadata, and upload guidelines.
• Light scripting experience, such as JavaScript for Adobe or Python, to automate workflows.
• Experience supporting peer training, workshops, or team onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain templates, automations, and reusable assets in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign to save the design team time.
• Train and support designers, assistant designers, and merchandisers on Adobe best practices through documentation, peer coaching, and team workshops.
• Experiment with AI tools to transform technical sketches into 3D or photorealistic renders for internal and external visual communications.
• Stay current on emerging tools, including Vizcom, New Arc, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Runway, CLO, and Browzwear, and share findings with the team.
• Contribute to internal prompt libraries, AI workflow documentation, and best practices that make new tools approachable.
• Partner with the Design Operations Manager to develop SOPs, file and folder management standards, and project workflows.
• Identify inefficiencies in current workflows and propose practical, designer-friendly solutions.
• Partner with fashion design and merchandising teams to understand their needs and deliver useful tools.
• Pilot new technologies that inform the broader Design Studio roadmap.
• Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus of up to 10% of base salary.
• Paid time off accrued bi-weekly based on hours worked, up to 112 hours per year to start.
• 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 4% of earnings, matched and vested at every pay cycle.
• Life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed