Senior Technical Designer, Apparel

Clare V.•Los Angeles, CA

4h•$100,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Technical Designer, Apparel serves as the technical expert across all apparel categories, including women's knits, wovens, and sweaters. This role partners closely with Design, Product Development, Production, Quality, and global manufacturing partners to bring innovative products from concept through production while ensuring exceptional fit, construction, quality, and consistency across all product categories. The Senior Technical Designer is responsible for leading technical development, managing fit and pattern integrity, establishing construction standards, and driving technical decision-making throughout the product lifecycle. The ideal candidate possesses extensive apparel technical design experience, exceptional patternmaking expertise, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and global manufacturing partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Technical Design, Apparel Development, or related field.
Minimum 8+ years of Technical Design experience within the fashion industry.
Extensive experience in apparel technical design; experience with knits, wovens, and sweaters strongly preferred.
Expert knowledge of apparel construction, garment fit, grading, patternmaking, and manufacturing techniques.
Proven experience working directly with overseas factories and global manufacturing partners.
Experience managing products throughout the complete development lifecycle from concept through production.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator with the ability to create detailed technical sketches.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace.
Strong understanding of patternmaking, garment engineering, specifications, and product development processes.
Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and technical decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with domestic manufacturing partners.
Experience utilizing PLM systems.
Experience with CLO3D or other 3D garment development software.
Knowledge of additional Adobe Creative Suite applications.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Apparel Designer during seasonal concept development by providing technical recommendations for construction, fit, materials, and manufacturability.
Lead technical development across all apparel categories and select accessories from concept through production.
Create and maintain detailed tech packs, technical sketches, bills of materials (BOMs), specifications, grading, and construction details for all apparel styles.
Develop initial patterns, utilize CLO3D or similar 3D pattern software, and provide pattern corrections and technical guidance throughout development.
Review incoming prototypes and development samples to ensure compliance with specifications, construction standards, and design intent prior to Design review.
Attend and lead fit sessions, measuring garments, evaluating fit, documenting revisions, and driving technical decision-making while maintaining calendar deadlines.
Balance quality, manufacturability, cost, and development timelines throughout the technical design process.
Support Design and Product Development teams by troubleshooting technical issues and recommending construction solutions.
Own all apparel tech packs following the market sample stage through TOP (Top of Production) approval.
Update technical sketches, specifications, BOMs, grading, and fit comments following each fitting.
Evaluate production samples to ensure compliance with specifications, fit standards, construction quality, and design intent.
Communicate technical changes to cross-functional partners through detailed fit comments, sketches, photographs, and specification updates.
Collaborate with Product Development and Production teams to ensure timely approvals while maintaining product quality and calendar milestones.
Review vendor patterns, provide pattern corrections, and finalize graded specifications for production-approved styles.
Audit seasonal tech packs and Chase List styles to validate technical accuracy and ensure documentation remains current.
Serve as the technical leader for all apparel categories, building strong relationships with domestic and international manufacturing partners.
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve company-wide apparel construction standards, fit consistency, and technical design guidelines.
Ensure consistency of specifications, grading, and construction details across the global factory base.
Maintain and organize the apparel pattern library, ensuring vendors always utilize the correct approved patterns.
Identify opportunities for cost reduction, material optimization, and construction efficiencies while maintaining product quality.
Partner with Product Development, Production, and Quality Control teams to resolve technical and quality issues.
Support onboarding and implementation of technical standards for new manufacturing partners.
Manage the upload and maintenance of technical documentation within PLM systems and Production shared drives.
Assist with maintaining BOMs within PLM and ERP systems as needed.