Senior Technical Designer
About The Position
The Senior Technical Designer leads the technical development of women's dresses, sweaters, and ready-to-wear collections from concept through production. The role works closely with Design, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and overseas vendors to translate creative vision into commercially successful, production-ready garments while upholding standards for fit, quality, construction, and performance. The position leads fit sessions, evaluates patterns and fabrics, directs technical execution throughout development, and mentors junior team members. It also maintains consistency across styles and seasons, communicates fit and construction revisions to vendors, and supports improvements to product quality and development processes. The position is based on-site in Newport Beach, California, and requires availability for calls with international vendors during non-traditional office hours.
Requirements
- 9+ years of technical design experience focused on women's dresses, sweaters, and ready-to-wear.
- Extensive knowledge of women's apparel fit, construction, patternmaking, and grading.
- Expert understanding of woven and knit fabrications, including sweater knits, stretch textiles, linings, and specialty construction techniques.
- Proven ability to lead fit sessions and make technical decisions balancing fit, aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturability.
- Strong knowledge of garment grading, measurement standards, and pattern engineering.
- Experience partnering directly with domestic and international factories and pattern makers.
- Excellent technical communication skills, including communicating fit corrections using technical sketches, fit photos, and pattern diagrams.
- Strong understanding of the apparel product development lifecycle from concept through production.
- Highly organized, with exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative, solution-oriented mindset with strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.
- Must be a team player.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with StyleCAD or similar pattern software.
- Experience with both domestic and international production.
- Knowledge of construction methods across women's woven apparel, dresses, sweaters, and knitwear.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical development of women's dresses, sweaters, and ready-to-wear collections from prototype through production.
- Create and maintain technical packages, including construction details, technical sketches, points of measure, grading, tolerances, and construction callouts.
- Manage prototype development and ensure samples are delivered and reviewed according to development calendars.
- Measure, evaluate, and review prototype, fit, PP, and TOP samples for fit, construction, workmanship, and overall execution.
- Lead fit sessions on live models and work with Design to achieve the best-fitting product.
- Develop and communicate detailed fit comments and construction revisions to domestic and international vendors within established timelines.
- Partner with Design to preserve design intent while achieving optimal fit, comfort, and manufacturability.
- Collaborate with Product Development, Production, and Sourcing teams to resolve fit and quality issues during development and production.
- Maintain consistency in fit, grading, construction, and technical standards across women's ready-to-wear categories.
- Analyze garment construction and recommend improvements to quality, durability, functionality, and cost efficiency.
- Build working relationships with overseas factories, pattern engineers, and cross-functional teams through clear technical communication and collaboration.
- Maintain development trackers, technical documentation, and sample status updates accurately.
- Support initiatives to improve product quality, development efficiency, and technical processes.
- Join calls with international vendors during non-traditional office hours as needed.
- Meet project deadlines and expected fit-comment volumes.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
