Apparel Manufacturing Engineer – Garment Construction & Sewing

CM Almy | Pittsfield, Maine
Full-time | On-site Monday through Friday

Direct experience manufacturing clothing in a cut-and-sew factory is required. Applicants must also have proficiency with Gerber AccuMark or comparable apparel patternmaking software, such as Lectra or Optitex.

This position works on-site at our manufacturing facility in Pittsfield, Maine, Monday through Friday each week. Applicants must be able to commute reliably or relocate to meet this schedule.

Apparel Manufacturing Engineer

Help turn clothing concepts into quality finished garments

CM Almy, a division of F.C. Ziegler Co., manufactures products for Christian churches worldwide. We are seeking an experienced Apparel Manufacturing Engineer to help develop new garments, improve production methods, and support our cutting and stitching teams.

This is a hands-on position for someone who understands how clothing is designed, patterned, cut, sewn, pressed, and produced consistently in a factory setting. You will guide products from concept and prototype through full production while improving quality, efficiency, and material use.

What you will do

Develop garments and prepare them for production

• Translate product concepts into practical garment designs, patterns, samples, and production-ready specifications.
• Use Gerber AccuMark or equivalent apparel CAD software to create, adjust, and grade patterns.
• Evaluate garment fit, measurements, sizing, construction, and production feasibility.
• Develop pattern layouts and markers that support accurate cutting and reduce fabric waste.
• Select and evaluate fabrics, linings, interfacings, trims, and other components for performance, durability, appearance, and cost.
• Coordinate prototype construction, fittings, testing, revisions, and approval for production.
• Create and maintain technical specifications, Bills of Materials, and Bills of Operations, including construction details and production sequences.
• Estimate material requirements and labor costs for new products and custom orders.

Improve clothing manufacturing processes

• Develop and improve cutting, sewing, pressing, finishing, and packing methods.
• Establish efficient workstation layouts, production sequences, and balanced workloads.
• Conduct time and motion studies and establish labor standards.
• Write clear work instructions and train employees in consistent production methods.
• Identify and resolve garment construction, equipment, workflow, and quality problems.
• Support the selection, setup, operation, and troubleshooting of apparel manufacturing equipment in collaboration with maintenance.
• Use production data, Statistical Process Control, and other measurement tools to reduce defects, rework, and waste.
• Support safe work practices and continuous improvement throughout the production floor.

Lead projects and work across departments

• Manage new product introductions and manufacturing improvement projects.
• Establish timelines, track milestones, and communicate progress.
• Work closely with production employees, Softgoods leadership, materials, maintenance, sales, marketing, and product management.
• Help ensure garments meet customer expectations, quality standards, and cost targets.

Required experience and qualifications

Please apply only if you have direct experience producing clothing in a factory setting and using apparel-specific CAD software.

Qualified candidates will bring:

• At least five years of progressive experience in clothing or apparel manufacturing, with direct involvement in cut-and-sew production.
• Proficiency with Gerber AccuMark, Lectra, Optitex, or comparable garment patternmaking and grading software. General engineering CAD experience alone does not meet this requirement.
• Strong knowledge of patternmaking, grading, sizing, garment fit, and construction.
• Practical understanding of fabric behavior, grainlines, shrinkage, seam and stitch selection, garment assembly, pressing, and finishing.
• Experience developing samples and moving approved garments into repeatable factory production.
• Ability to prepare accurate garment specifications, material lists, construction instructions, and production documentation.
• Experience improving sewing methods, workstation layouts, production flow, and line balancing.
• Experience conducting time studies, setting labor standards, and training production employees.
• Hands-on familiarity with industrial sewing machines, cutting equipment, pressing equipment, and related apparel production tools.
• Experience using production and quality data to identify problems and measure improvements.
• At least two years of experience leading projects, new product introductions, or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Apparel Manufacturing, Textile Technology, Fashion Production, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Substantial relevant apparel manufacturing experience may be considered in place of a formal degree.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar improvement methods.
• Experience developing custom garments or small production runs.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management systems and digital apparel development workflows.
• Knowledge of applicable garment labeling, product safety, and quality requirements.

Work environment

You will divide your time between computer-based development work and hands-on work in sample, cutting, and sewing areas. Duties include standing and walking in production areas, handling fabrics and prototypes, inspecting garment details, and occasionally lifting or carrying materials weighing approximately 20–30 pounds. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

How to apply

Submit a resume that clearly identifies:

• The clothing or sewn apparel products you have helped develop and manufacture.
• Your direct experience working in a cut-and-sew factory.
• The apparel CAD systems you have used and your level of proficiency.
• Your experience improving garment production methods or introducing new products.
• Your ability to work on-site in Pittsfield, Maine, Monday through Friday.

CM Almy, a division of F.C. Ziegler Co., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Base Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Gerber AccuMark (or equivalent) software : 2 years (Required)
• Apparel product engineering: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Pittsfield, ME 04967 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Pittsfield, ME 04967: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000