Senior Technical Designer (Women’s Apparel)
Location: New York, NY (hyrbid)
Compensation: $100,000–$110,000
Travel: International (India, 4-6 times a year)
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Technical Designer with deep expertise in luxury women’s apparel, specializing in satin, bias-cut garments, and elevated woven construction. This role will lead the technical development process from design through production, ensuring exceptional fit, quality, and consistency across all collections.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience working with fluid fabrics such as satin, silk, charmeuse, viscose, and rayon, possesses advanced pattern correction skills, and thrives collaborating with overseas development teams.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of Technical Design experience in women’s apparel
- Expertise in satin, bias-cut, and fluid woven garments
- Strong knowledge of garment construction, fit, grading, and pattern corrections
- Experience leading fit sessions and managing technical development from concept through production
- Strong understanding of tech packs, specifications, BOMs, and construction details
- Experience partnering with overseas factories and production teams
- Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills
- Ability to manage multiple seasons and deadlines simultaneously
Preferred Experience
- Luxury, contemporary, resortwear, or premium women’s fashion
- Embellished garments and intricate garment construction
- Overseas manufacturing, particularly India
- Leadership or team management experience
Responsibilities
Technical Design & Product Development
- Create, review, and maintain comprehensive technical packages from design sketch through production.
- Ensure all specifications, construction details, measurements, BOMs, grading, and labeling information are accurate and production-ready.
- Own the technical development process from initial concept through final production approval.
- Lead fit sessions and provide expert recommendations on fit, balance, construction, and garment quality.
- Execute pattern corrections and collaborate with pattern makers to resolve fit challenges.
- Continuously refine grading standards and technical processes to improve product consistency.
Production & Factory Partnership
- Partner closely with overseas factories to communicate fit comments, construction updates, production requirements, and quality expectations.
- Track development milestones including Fit, PP, Size Set, and Top Samples to ensure production timelines remain on schedule.
- Review bulk material testing and approve materials according to company standards.
- Travel to overseas factories to support approvals, quality control, compliance, and production readiness.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Manage and mentor a team of Technical Masters and Pattern Makers, establishing standardized technical processes and best practices.
- Partner daily with Design, Production, Sales, Logistics, Web, and Leadership teams.
- Coordinate regularly with global teams using Google Meet, WhatsApp, email, and other collaboration tools.
- Support showroom activities during market appointments and participate in collection reviews.
Product Quality & Market Analysis
- Conduct model and dress form fittings in New York to accelerate approvals.
- Standardize body measurements and fit blocks across product categories.
- Analyze competitor products through market research, retail visits, and garment benchmarking.
- Evaluate competitor samples to improve fit, construction techniques, finishing, and overall product quality.
- Utilize customer and sales feedback to continuously improve product fit and performance.
- Drive first-pass approval success by proactively resolving fit issues before Pre-Production approval.
Work Environment
- Based onsite in our New York City office.
- Working schedule begins at 6:00 AM EST to align with India-based development teams (approximately 4–5 hours of collaboration each morning).
- Online fit sessions are held 3–4 times per week.
- Occasional Saturday fit sessions may be required during peak development periods.
- Travel to India approximately four-six times per year, with each trip lasting approximately 3–4 weeks.
