Apparel Technical Designer

BRUNT Workwear; North Reading (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare

401(k) plan with Company Match

15 days of PTO plus 11 paid holidays

Performance-based bonus eligibility

Job summary

BRUNT Workwear is seeking an Apparel Technical Designer to oversee the design and construction of high-quality workwear for tradesmen. This role involves developing tech packs, leading fit sessions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and performance standards are met.

The ideal candidate will have 4–6 years of experience in apparel technical design, with a focus on Bottoms, Denim, and Outerwear. The position offers a salary range between $85,000 and $110,000, along with comprehensive healthcare benefits and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Experience in Bottoms, Denim, and Outerwear design preferred.
• Knowledge of grading principles and denim standards is a plus.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey specifications.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop tech packs for Bottoms, Denim, and Outerwear.
• Lead fit sessions evaluating garments for trade work environments.
• Collaborate with teams to maintain timelines and quality standards.

Skills

Apparel technical design

Garment construction

Patternmaking

Fabric behavior

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Excel

Education

4–6 years of technical design experience

Tools

PLM software

3D design tools (CLO 3D, Browzwear)

Job description

We’re leading the way in redefining the workwear category. Our mission is to engineer better boots and apparel for our country’s tradesmen and women by working directly with real workers to learn what they actually need to execute their jobs.

The BRUNT team is not only devoted to improving on the old workwear standards, but we’re also creating a community that tradesmen and women can call their own. From our weekly hangouts at the BRUNT Garage, to hosting events across the country, we’re all about getting boots on the ground and building something real with the BRUNT crew.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

BRUNT is a fast-growing workwear brand built for the trades, and we're looking for a detail-obsessed, technically sharp Apparel Technical Designer to own initial design through construction, and quality of our Bottoms, Denim, and Outerwear product lines. Every product you touch will be built for the trade worker the carpenter, electrician, plumber, and laborer who demands gear that can keep up with the hardest days on the job site. Your work ensures that what we design is exactly what gets built, and that it performs when it matters most. You’ll serve as the creative and technical backbone of our product creation process translating creative concepts into precise, production‑ready packages and shepherding every style from first proto to bulk approval with an expert eye and zero tolerance for shortcuts.

HOW YOU’LL DO IT:

Tech Pack Development

• Design functional silhouette solutions for the trade worker capturing key functionality outlined in the product brief.
• Build and maintain comprehensive, production‑ready tech packs for all assigned Bottoms, Denim, and Outerwear styles including detailed technical flat sketches, graded measurement charts, construction specifications, bills of materials (BOM), and hardware callouts.
• Ensure all tech packs clearly communicate design intent, workwear performance requirements, and construction standards to international factory partners.
• Maintain meticulous version control and documentation throughout the development cycle.
• Partner with Product Merchant and Consumer Insights early in the brief process to evaluate feasibility, flag construction risks, and propose workable solutions before development kicks off.

Fit Sessions & Garment Evaluation

• Lead and own all fit sessions for assigned categories from initial proto to buy ready evaluating garments on live fit models for fit, drape, mobility, and functionality specific to trade work environments.
• Analyze samples against spec sheets, identifying pattern issues and construction discrepancies, and communicating precise corrections to factory partners.
• Ensure fit standards reflect the physical demands of the trade worker freedom of movement, reinforced stress points, and category‑specific durability requirements.
• Document all fit comments clearly and efficiently to minimize revision cycles and protect the development calendar.
• Partner with Consumer Insights during the wear test phase to capture any necessary adjustments to fit or function and align with product merchants on final changes.

Vendor Communication & Sample Approval

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact with factories and suppliers throughout the development process.
• Review and approve lab dips, proto samples, fit samples, and pre‑production samples providing clear, actionable feedback at every stage.
• Partner with Sourcing to resolve production and construction challenges early, balancing quality standards with cost and timeline requirements.
• Visit factory and production sites as needed to ensure bulk production aligns with approved standards.

Grading & Quality Standards

• Develop and maintain graded measurement specs across the full size range for all assigned styles.
• Establish and uphold quality control standards from proto through bulk ensuring finished products are free of defects and consistent with brand and performance benchmarks.
• Research new construction methods, fabrications, and production technologies that could improve durability, functionality, or efficiency in workwear categories.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Product Merchant, Design, and Sourcing teams to align on seasonal timelines, milestone deliverables, and product intent.
• Contribute to line reviews, proto reviews, and fit sessions with a clear point of view advocating for construction solutions that serve both the trade consumer and the commercial goals of the business.
• Help create and maintain contingency plans when unexpected production challenges arise, keeping projects on track without sacrificing quality.

What You Bring to the Table:

• 4–6 years of apparel technical design experience, with a strong focus on Bottoms, Denim, and/or Outerwear workwear, outdoor, or performance categories strongly preferred.
• Deep, hands‑on knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking, fabric behavior, and grading principles.
• Experience with denim fabrication and construction is a meaningful plus wash development, rigid vs. stretch denim, and workwear‑specific denim standards.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical flat sketching precise, clean, and production‑ready.
• Experience with PLM software for tech pack management and development tracking.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for spec management and measurement charting.
• Familiarity with 3D design tools (CLO 3D, Browzwear) is a plus.
• Strong communicator able to clearly document and convey detailed specifications to cross‑functional teams and international vendors.
• Deadline‑driven, highly organized, and comfortable managing multiple styles simultaneously in a fast‑paced seasonal calendar.
• A genuine appreciation for the trade worker consumer understanding the physical demands of the job and how good construction directly impacts their day.

Benefits & Perks:

• Healthcare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with Company Match.
• Paid Time Off: 15 days of PTO, plus 11 paid holidays and sick leave.
• Incentives: Performance‑based bonus eligibility and Equity if applicable.

The anticipated salary range for this role is: $85,000 – $110,000 USD

In accordance with applicable salary transparency laws, we are providing the good‑faith salary range for this position. This range reflects the base salary that we reasonably expect to pay for this position at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered will depend on factors such as qualifications, experience, skills, and budget.

No matter what experience you have within our industry we encourage you to apply. At BRUNT, we believe that a strong crew is assembled with people from different backgrounds.

We look for individuals who thrive on challenges, will be passionate about our brand, and believe that teamwork is necessary for success. Show us how your experiences have shaped you and how you can contribute to BRUNT. We can’t wait to hear from you!