Design Technologist

SanMar- External • Issaquah, WA

8d • $80,170 - $115,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design Technologist is a member of SanMar’s Apparel, Bags and Accessories Design team, working at the intersection of design, technology, and innovation. The role helps the design team use Adobe Creative Cloud effectively, explores how AI can support fashion design workflows, and develops systems and templates to improve how the team works.

The position builds and maintains Adobe Illustrator and InDesign templates, automations, and reusable assets; supports and trains designers, assistant designers, and merchandisers; experiments with AI tools to turn technical sketches into 3D or photorealistic renders; and evaluates emerging creative technologies. It also contributes to prompt libraries and AI workflow documentation, partners with the Design Operations Manager on SOPs and project workflows, identifies process improvements, and works with fashion design and merchandising teams to deliver useful tools. The role may also pilot new technologies to inform the broader Design Studio roadmap and perform other assigned duties while complying with company policies and standards.

This is a hybrid position based at SanMar’s Eastpointe office in Issaquah, Washington. Employees work in the office Tuesday through Thursday each week, with additional in-office days possible based on business needs. Standard working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, and periodic travel may be required. The role involves extended computer work and close visual work, frequent keyboarding and use of standard office equipment, occasional standing, walking, and reaching, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 10–15 pounds.

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, including 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, supported by work samples or examples of applied use.
• Process-oriented 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, including the ability to document workflows in an accessible way.

Nice To Haves

• Background in B2B apparel, licensed brands, corporate uniforming, or a similar industry.
• 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.
• Asana experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain Adobe Illustrator and InDesign templates, automations, and reusable assets.
• Train and support designers, assistant designers, and merchandisers on Adobe best practices through documentation, peer coaching, and 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 and share findings with the team.
• Contribute to internal prompt libraries, AI workflow documentation, and best practices.
• 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 tools that address them.
• Pilot new technologies that inform the broader Design Studio roadmap.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• 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.
• Eight paid holidays and one paid family day off.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4% of earnings, matched and vested each 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