Associate Technical Designer
Position Summary
We are seeking an Associate Technical Designer with experience in juniors and/or kids’ apparel. This role supports the translation of design concepts into production-ready garments, with a focus on fit, construction, quality, and safety across multiple children’s and juniors categories. You will partner closely with Design, Product Development, and Production to ensure each style reflects brand aesthetic, fit intent, and age-appropriate standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the technical development of juniors and kids’ categories (tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, etc.) from first proto through production approval.
- Build and update detailed tech packs, including specs, measurement pages, construction callouts, finishes, and graded size runs for children’s and juniors fits.
- Measure incoming samples, evaluate balance and proportion, and clearly document fit issues and variances from standard blocks.
- Participate in fit sessions on live models or forms; capture thorough fit notes, recommended pattern adjustments, and construction changes for juniors and kids styles.
- Send clear, actionable fit comments and construction corrections to domestic and overseas vendors, ensuring alignment with brand fit standards.
- Review samples for workmanship, stitch quality, trim usage, and overall consistency with quality expectations for kids’ product.
- Help maintain, refine, and organize fit standards, blocks, size charts, and measurement libraries specific to children’s and juniors assortments.
- Track sample status, approvals, and re-submits; help keep development and production calendars on schedule.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot recurring fit, grading, or construction issues and suggest practical solutions.
Qualifications
- Approximately 2–4 years of technical design experience, with meaningful exposure to kids and/or juniors apparel.
- Strong understanding of garment construction, fit principles, and grading for children’s and junior size ranges.
- Working knowledge of children’s safety and compliance standards (e.g., trims, labeling, and regulations such as CPSIA).
- Ability to measure garments accurately, interpret measurement variances, and translate findings into clear fit comments.
- Proficiency with PLM or similar product lifecycle tools, and strong Microsoft Excel skills for specs, measurements, and tracking.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially when communicating technical information and fit direction to factories.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple styles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Technical Design, or a related field preferred.
