R&D Manager

Klotifai; Jakarta Selatan; On-site; IDR 446,400,000 - 781,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Klotifai is seeking a seasoned Garment Product Development Leader to drive digital pattern engineering and sample prototyping for mass production.

You will oversee end-to-end engineering, lead fabric research, and ensure export-standard Tech Packs, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet launch timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fashion/garment/textile engineering or related field.
• 5–8 years product development/R&D in garment sector with 3+ years in management.
• Expertise in digital pattern construction, grading, marker making (Optitex/Gerber) and sewing operations.
• Strong understanding of woven and knit fabrics, shrinkage management, and textile testing.
• Ability to read and develop export-standard Tech Packs.
• Fluent in English for technical communication with international buyers.

Responsibilities

• Lead textile research and digital pattern engineering for mass production.
• Oversee end-to-end product engineering from design to proto and pre-production samples.
• Direct fabric research, shrinkage tests, colorfastness, and material tolerances.
• Approve CAD patterns, grading, and cutting markers to optimize fabric use.
• Lead fitting sessions and instruct on construction methods to prevent defects.
• Ensure accuracy of Tech Packs and manage Sample Room capacity and schedules.
• Collaborate with Merchandiser Costing and IE on BOM consumption and SAM/SMV.
• Mentor pattern makers and fabric lab technicians.
• Maintain pattern plotters and cutting machines in the Sample Room.

Skills

Garment pattern engineering

Technical problem solving

Leadership

English communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion/Textile Engineering

Tools

Optitex

Gerber

Industrial sewing machines

Tech Packs drafting

Job description

• Bachelor's Degree (S1) in Fashion Design, Garment Engineering, Textile Engineering, or a related engineering field
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in Garment Product Development/R&D, with at least 3 years in a managerial position (Manager or Lead) within export garment manufacturing or large-scale retail fashion
• In-depth expertise in digital garment pattern construction, grading techniques, marker making (Optitex/Gerber), and industrial sewing machine operations
• Comprehensive understanding of fabric characteristics (woven & knit), material shrinkage management, and basic textile laboratory testing
• Proficient in reading, verifying, and developing highly accurate, export-standard technical specification sheets (Tech Packs)
• Strong technical analytical skills with the ability to solve garment construction issues, demonstrating decisiveness and high attention to detail regarding dimensional measurements
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken, for technical correspondence with international buyers and material vendors

Job Summary

• Lead and manage all textile research, digital pattern engineering, and sample prototyping activities to ensure designs are translated into precise, durable, well-fitting garments ready for efficient mass production
• Oversee the end-to-end product engineering workflow, from design sketch reception and digital master pattern creation to lab testing and physical sample assembly (Proto, Fit, Pre-Production Sample)
• Direct new fabric research, overseeing shrinkage tests, colorfastness evaluations, and the establishment of technical material tolerances prior to the cutting process
• Verify and grant final technical approval for digital CAD patterns (Optitex), size grading, and cutting markers to maximize fabric consumption efficiency
• Lead fitting sessions with designers and technical teams to evaluate wearability, size proportions, and garment construction stability
• Analyze sewing feasibility and proactively instruct design modifications or alternative construction methods to prevent technical defects during mass factory production
• Control the absolute accuracy of final Tech Packs, including stitch details, measurement charts/tolerances, and garment assembly instructions
• Manage Sample Room capacity and production schedules to ensure all prototype handover targets align with product launch timelines
• Collaborate with Merchandiser Costing and Industrial Engineering (IE) teams regarding actual Bill of Materials (BOM) consumption and estimated sewing durations (SAM/SMV)
• Mentor, direct, and evaluate the performance of Pattern Makers, Sample Makers, and fabric laboratory technicians
• Manage the periodic maintenance of pattern plotters, sample cutting machines, and specialized sewing equipment in the Sample Room
• Exercise authority to reject pattern releases or suspend sampling if materials fail laboratory testing (e.g., excessive shrinkage) until pattern adjustments are finalized