Apparel Technical Designer & Developer, Construction Lead

FutureStitch; San Clemente (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

FutureStitch in San Clemente, CA is hiring a Technical Designer & Developer to own the technical backbone of our products—the patterns, fabrics, specs, tech packs, and fit work that bring concepts into production.

This hands-on, leadership-focused role requires driving technical development from concept handoff through fit approval, with quarterly objectives guiding progress across SECONDS and base layer lines.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in technical design, product development, or pattern making within apparel, knitwear, or performance product.
• Demonstrated pattern making and grading skills (flat pattern and digital). Hand sewing and sample making is a strong plus.
• Deep working knowledge of knit and woven fabrics and how they behave through sew and wear.
• Proven track record building complete tech packs that a factory can execute.
• Experience running fit sessions and owning the fit process for a category or program.
• Fluency in CAD or pattern software (Gerber, Optitex, Browzwear, CLO) and Adobe Illustrator; comfort with Excel and PLM systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development of assigned programs from concept handoff to production readiness.
• Draft, develop, grade, and correct patterns from design concepts and reference garments.
• Build and maintain size charts, grade rules, and block libraries by category.
• Translate design intent into buildable construction: seam methods, trims, closures, panel logic, finishing.
• Own fabric consumption and yield estimates that feed costing and material ordering.
• Build and maintain production-ready tech packs (BOMs, POMs, construction details, labeling).
• Hold spec accuracy and revision control for current factory usage.
• Run fit sessions, evaluate samples against spec, and write clear fit comments.
• Mentor junior developers on the craft and surface technical risk early with a path forward.

Skills

Pattern making

Grading

Knit/woven fabrics knowledge

Tech packs

CAD pattern software

Adobe Illustrator

Excel/PLM

Clear communication

Tools

Gerber

Optitex

Browzwear

CLO

Adobe Illustrator

Excel

PLM systems

Job description

FutureStitch in San Clemente, CA is hiring a Technical Designer & Developer to own the technical backbone of our products—the patterns, fabrics, specs, tech packs, and fit work that bring concepts into production.

This hands-on, leadership-focused role requires driving technical development from concept handoff through fit approval, with quarterly objectives guiding progress across SECONDS and base layer lines.