Technical Designer - Denim, Outerwear, & Sportswear (Freelance)

Li & Fung•New York, NY

3d•$50 - $55

About The Position

Join our dynamic team and take your career to the next level with our innovative and fast-paced apparel organization. We are seeking a skilled Freelance Technical Designer to support the technical development and execution of products within our Licensed and Branded Apparel division, with a focus on denim, outerwear, and sportswear categories. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the fit, quality, construction integrity, and technical accuracy of products from concept through production. You will partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Production, and global sourcing teams to drive the successful execution of seasonal collections. This position requires strong technical expertise in garment construction, patternmaking, fit development, and fabric performance across multiple product categories. If you have a keen eye for detail, a passion for bringing product to life, and strong technical design experience across denim, outerwear, and sportswear, we would love to hear from you!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, Textile Science, or a related field.
5–7+ years of technical design experience with a strong focus on denim, outerwear, and/or sportswear.
Strong knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking, grading, fit development, fabric performance, and manufacturing processes.
Experience working with a variety of fabrics and constructions, including denim, wovens, technical fabrics, insulated garments, and performance apparel.
Proven ability to independently lead fittings from development through TOP approval.
Strong understanding of garment performance, durability, wash processes, shrinkage, and quality standards.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams and global vendors.
High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, and PLM systems.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple product categories and seasonal deadlines simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Provide technical guidance and support for denim, outerwear, and sportswear categories, ensuring optimal fit, construction, and product quality.
Create and maintain detailed tech packs, graded specifications, BOMs, construction pages, and fit documentation using PLM and Excel.
Apply advanced garment construction, patternmaking, grading, and fit knowledge when reviewing and refining styles.
Conduct fittings independently and provide clear, detailed fit comments focused on consistency, functionality, quality, and commercialization.
Evaluate and measure samples from prototype through TOP approval, ensuring consistency across size ranges and product categories.
Partner closely with Design to maintain the intended aesthetic while resolving technical and construction challenges.
Communicate effectively with factories and overseas partners regarding fit corrections, construction details, quality issues, and execution solutions.
Track sample development and approvals against seasonal calendars to ensure on-time delivery.
Establish and maintain fit standards across denim, outerwear, and sportswear categories.
Troubleshoot category-specific construction and performance issues, including garment wash effects, fabric shrinkage, fit retention, insulation performance, seam construction, stretch recovery, and overall garment functionality.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production teams to support end-to-end product development.
Maintain accurate technical documentation and approvals within PLM systems.
Manage multiple styles, categories, priorities, and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.