Technical Designer

The Technical Designer role is an integral part of the Product Development team responsible for defining, constructing, and engineering innovative product to market in a timely and cost-effective manner. The scope of the position consists of drafting new silhouettes, fitting, commenting, library administration and all around general ownership of all technical design elements for both Spirit Jersey® and Canvas Co brands & customers. This individual is acutely detail oriented and excels in working cohesively with cross-functional partners in Design, Production & Merch to execute exceptional product within ambitious timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Spearhead all technical design efforts for Spirit Jersey and Canvas Co. brands, ranging from block-based core carryover styles to highly complex & novelty garments.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of detailed tech packs, specs, construction details, and graded measurements.
• Manage fittings from initial prototype through final sample, as well as take over for partially developed/ established styles. Provide expert technical guidance to achieve brand standards for fit and quality.
• Draft, fit and release patterns for domestic sampling in production, incorporating lot by lot fabric shrinkage and preparation of sew-by samples.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development, Sales and Design & Innovations teams to maintain fit consistency and problem solve creative and technical challenges.
• Interface with R&D/3D Innovation designers to round out preliminary conceptual work into cohesive, understandable tech pack documentation for development & production.
• Edit and draft technical sketches & flats files; Assist the Design team in building out robust CAD silhouettes for construction accuracy templatization.
• Administration of block, construction and digital pattern libraries, ensuring precise consistency across all referenced items in PLM.
• Maintain & update POM and grading templates & libraries; Establish and organize supplementary grade rules to achieve different customers’ requirements at scale
• Partner with external vendors and internal samplemaking teams to ensure accurate communication and timely, flawless sample execution.
• Translate pattern assets into workable Adobe file formats for preliminary artwork conceptualization and sizing by Design teams.
• Issue production stage artwork graded placements and interface with PD team to drive placement standards for brand consistency.
• Establish and evolve best practices for technical design processes, brand fit intent, and customer expectation.
• Stay informed on market research for emerging technologies, construction practices, and production innovations to elevate product quality.

Critical Aspects

• This position falls under the Product Development department and services both Spirit Jersey and Canvas Co brands and customers.
• Heavy collaboration with PD team members, external suppliers, and R&D/3D Innovation team.
• Expectation of some overlap in technical activities/functions as conceptual development becomes actualized and sampling is initiated.
• Downstream functions are more organized and process oriented. Will require some switching back & forth from unstructured to structured workflows.
• Will need to share management of dept personnel (sample cutter & sewer) with PD managers & 3D designers to coordinate sampling, material inventory and program resources without friction.
• Opportunity to learn & utilize Clo 3D design software and transition relevant TD functions to that platform.

Key Competencies

• Fundamental understanding of apparel technical components, garment construction & apparel product lifecycle process.
• Exceptional communication skills written and verbal; Ability to clearly articulate messages to a diversity of audiences and garner productive feedback; Excellent active listening skills.
• Prioritizes working closely with others, building & nourishing robust working relationships; Takes pride in being a team player.
• Organized & process oriented, while simultaneously possessing the capacity & flexibility to swiftly pivot to different types of tasks as the workload demands it
• Impeccable time management; Accustomed to working with & excelling with demanding lead times; Able to successfully balance individual priorities amid team & company priorities.
• Have a strong drive to learn and augment one’s knowledge; Enthusiastic to supplement existing skillset through the undertaking of new challenges.
• Enterprising & self-motivating; Resourceful and self-starting with a resolve for owning their responsibilities and taking pride in their work.
• A mindset of innovation and broad creativity; sharp problem solving skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years work experience in apparel technical design.
• English language proficient, written & oral; Strong preference for Spanish bi-lingual skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator & MS Office suite.
• Proficient in pattern design software, Tuka preferred.
• Strong experience in PLM or PDM software.
• Experience with 3D apparel software (preferably Clo 3D) a plus.
• Means of local mobility/transportation and willingness to travel abroad.

Salary Range
$USD annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,640.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have in the apparel industry?
• How many years of experience do you have in apparel technical design?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $68,640 - $75,000