Technical Designer

Essense of Australia, Inc.•Lenexa, KS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Essense of Australia is an international bridal wholesaler with offices in Lenexa, Kansas; Perth, Australia; and Zug, Switzerland, and operations in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. The company’s designs are sold in nearly 1,000 stores worldwide. The Technical Designer role, internally known as Garment Technician, is part of the US Collections team. It is responsible for assessing garment fit, construction, fabric, and quality throughout the approval and production process, ensuring styles meet design and company standards. The role works closely with Design Development and Sampling teams, international factories, Product Operations, and other stakeholders to provide technical direction and quality expertise across the garment life cycle. The position is onsite Monday through Friday and requires international travel to factory locations up to four times per year, estimated at approximately 10% of working time. The role may also require flexibility to assist with tasks outside standard work hours.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel, Fashion, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in technical design or equivalent.
Extensive understanding of garment construction, including sewing, pattern making, and grading, and ability to create and amend garment specifications to achieve the desired fit.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey quality standards and expectations to offshore manufacturers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
Ability to independently weigh technical data, garment construction knowledge, and fabrication expertise to make balanced decisions.
Strong working knowledge of garment sampling and production workflows.
Strong customer-service orientation and a patient, professional demeanor under pressure.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively by email and video call with international manufacturers, suppliers, and company offices.
Strong time-management skills and ability to consistently meet company deadlines.
Excellent numerical skills, attention to detail, and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Ability to develop and analyze garment pricing.
Detail-oriented, process-driven approach, strong work ethic, and consistently positive attitude.
High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator.
Flexibility to assist with tasks outside standard work hours.
Ability to travel internationally to factory locations as needed.
Willingness to learn and thoughtfully apply AI and other emerging tools to improve efficiency, problem-solving, and processes.
Ability to regularly lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to reach above head height to work on samples.
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift dresses on and off mannequins and models.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with PLM software, preferably Centric.

Responsibilities

Lead detailed on-body garment reviews throughout the approval process and confirm requested design changes are correctly represented.
Develop technical packages, including specifications, fit comments, pattern correction sketches, grading rules, and fabric and trim requirements.
Inspect sample garments and communicate clear, detailed instructions to manufacturers and other stakeholders.
Analyze style instructions and sampling comments to determine and communicate technical construction and fabrication decisions independently.
Provide technical knowledge and support throughout the garment life cycle to ensure garment quality and consumer satisfaction.
Travel internationally to factory locations, up to four times per year, to support technical development and quality-control checks on new collections.
Partner with international Product Operations and factory teams to finalize samples and technical packages for production.
Review bulk production runs to confirm quality, construction, and fabric standards before shipment.
Guide the Alterations team in sample research and development, and process complex gown changes with clear factory instructions.
Lead showroom mannequin presentation and ensure gowns are represented accurately for selling events.
Support photoshoots as assigned and verify sample accuracy ahead of Line Reviews and other events.
Communicate with factories on technical and production matters, and manage and document samples and the product line.
Contribute technical expertise to process improvements, quality-control inspections, and reporting.
Monitor and maintain fit, construction, and workmanship standards across factories.
Analyze, negotiate, and maintain factory costings.