Senior Technical Designer
Malbon•Santa Monica, CA
•Hybrid
About The Position
Malbon is looking for a Senior Technical Designer (Women's) to join our team. This role will report into Director of Technical Design and will be responsible for Women’s technical design. Ideal candidates are diligent, passionate, and have a strong sense of ownership and urgency in product execution. Malbon HQ is based in Santa Monica, CA. We are currently operating from a hybrid work schedule of 3 days a week in-office. Depending on volume, additional time may be required in-office for fittings.
Requirements
- 10+ years of Technical Design experience in apparel; experience in lifestyle, performance, golf, or contemporary womenswear preferred
- Excel-heavy role with advanced proficiency required, including spec tracking, data management, and reporting; Adobe Illustrator required; PLM experience strongly preferred
- Strong experience leading fit sessions, including measuring and evaluating samples, identifying fit issues, and driving corrections from proto through production
- Proven ability to manage multiple categories and seasons simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with very quick turnaround timelines (weekly product drops / rapid development cycles)
- Strong cross-functional experience working with Design, Production, Merchandising, Product Development, and global vendors
- Clear communication and presentation skills with ability to translate fit and construction feedback into actionable direction
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage shifting priorities under tight deadlines
- Strong problem-solving ability with a proactive approach to fit, construction, and production challenges
- Ability to work in a physically active environment, including handling garments and samples; must be able to lift up to 40 lbs as needed
- Willingness to travel 10–15% for vendor visits, development trips, and product meetings (domestic and/or international)
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required for local vendor, warehouse, or retail visits
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design, Technical Design, Apparel Engineering, or related field preferred
Responsibilities
- Own technical development from initial design handoff through bulk approval, ensuring fit, construction, and quality meet brand standards
- Lead and conduct fittings independently, providing clear direction on fit, balance, and construction to achieve design intent
- Create and maintain accurate tech packs including specs, graded measurements, construction details, BOMs, and vendor comments
- Measure, evaluate, and approve samples (proto, SMS, PP), ensuring consistency and readiness for production
- Identify and proactively resolve fit and construction issues early in development
- Partner closely with Design, Production, Product Development, Merchandising, and external vendors to ensure alignment across the product lifecycle
- Communicate clear, actionable feedback to vendors to improve execution efficiency and reduce sampling rounds
- Track and manage multiple styles across development calendars, ensuring deadlines are met in a fast-paced environment
- Maintain brand standards for fit, grading, and construction across all product categories
- Support process improvements and contribute to standardization of tools, templates, and workflows
- Mentor junior team members on fittings, tech packs, and development processes
- Support additional projects and cross-functional initiatives as needed in a growing organization
Benefits
- Competitive plans for Medical, Dental, Vision
- 401(k) + matching
- Generous PTO policy + observed holiday calendar
- Monthly mobile/internet stipend
- Employee discount for eligible Malbon products
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
