Contract - Technical Designer

Socket.dev; Cypress (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Hybrid Apparel is seeking an Apparel Technical Designer to own the technical design process from concept to final production. You will lead tech packs, fit sessions, and sample development across multiple accounts, ensuring high-quality construction and adherence to brand standards.

Collaborate with design, merchandising, and production teams to deliver market-ready products on time. A strong background in garment construction, patternmaking, and advanced design software is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, or related field.
• 5+ years in technical design or senior role within apparel.
• Experience managing private label development across accounts.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design process with detailed tech packs, measurements, fabrics, trims, and stitching instructions.
• Lead fit sessions, assess samples, provide fit corrections and manage fit reviews.
• Oversee sample development from concept to final samples with timely delivery.
• Evaluate garment construction and provide improvements for design, functionality and cost.
• Manage own private label process per account including specs, branding, and timelines.
• Validate grade rules per account to ensure sizing consistency.
• Coordinate with vendors and factories for technical adjustments and production timelines.
• Review and modify patterns to align with tech specs and design standards.
• Serve as technical liaison between design, production, and merchandising teams.
• Own quality assurance and control throughout development and production.
• Independently manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.

Skills

Technical design

Garment construction

Patternmaking

Grading

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Gerber

Job description

Hybrid’s humble beginnings started in 1997 in the back of a print shop designing, selling, and printing tee shirts. Today, Hybrid is a global apparel industry powerhouse in brand and licensing management. Hybrid provides its expertise and fully vertical operations capability – design, merchandising, development, sourcing, production, and distribution – to a broad suite of branded, licensed, generic, and private label partners. Hybrid’s full-service apparel design and manufacturing expertise extends across the apparel category, including knits, woven tops, bottoms, tees, and accessories.

As our organization has evolved, so has our philosophy of doing business. We have made concerted efforts to remove ourselves from the antiquated approach of other apparel manufacturers and doing things differently has been our focus. We are building a company ethos that breeds innovation, collaboration, integrity and excellence in customer service.

What is my role?

As an Apparel Technical Designer, you will take ownership of the technical design process from concept to final production, ensuring high-quality construction, fit, and performance for apparel products. With minimal supervision, you will lead the technical development of designs across multiple accounts and product categories. You will work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams, including design, merchandising, and production, to deliver exceptional products that meet brand standards and exceed customer expectations.

What You'll Do

• Lead Technical Design Process: Independently manage the creation of detailed technical specifications (tech packs), including measurements, construction details, fabrics, trims, and stitching instructions for a variety of accounts and products.
  
• Fit Sessions & Adjustments: Lead fit evaluations, assess samples, provide fit corrections, and manage fit comment reviews. Ensure that all adjustments align with design vision and quality standards.
• Sample Development: Oversee the development of samples, from initial concepts to final samples, ensuring timely delivery, accurate execution, and adherence to design and quality standards.
• Garment Construction & Detailing: Conduct thorough evaluations of garment construction, recommending improvements for design, functionality, and cost optimization. Provide technical guidance to improve manufacturing processes.
• Account-Specific Management: Lead and manage the own private label process per account, ensuring that all account-specific requirements—including product specifications, branding, and timeline expectations—are met with precision.
• Grade Rule Validation: Independently double-check and validate grade rules per account, ensuring sizing consistency, accuracy, and adherence to account-specific standards.
• Vendor and Factory Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact with vendors and factories for technical adjustments, ensuring that all products meet quality expectations and production timelines. Troubleshoot any issues related to construction, fit, and materials.
• Pattern Review & Modification: Oversee the review and modification of patterns, ensuring they align with tech specs and meet the necessary design standards. Implement changes as needed to improve fit or functionality.
• Collaborative Work: Act as a technical liaison between design, production, and merchandising teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment of product goals.
• Quality Assurance & Control: Take ownership of the quality control process, identifying any issues during development, production, or fitting stages, and implementing corrective actions.
• Project Management: Independently manage multiple projects, ensuring all deadlines are met, and products are delivered to specifications. Coordinate with various teams to ensure smooth workflow and problem resolution.

What You’ll Need

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years of experience in technical design or a senior-level role within the apparel industry.
  • Proven experience managing private label development and working with multiple accounts.
  • Strong background in garment construction, patternmaking, grading, and fitting processes.
• Skills:
  • Advanced knowledge of garment construction, pattern-making, and technical design processes.
  • Proficient in technical design software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Gerber, or similar).
  • Expertise in managing and overseeing multiple product development projects.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
  • Excellent problem-solving, troubleshooting, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Personal Traits:
  • Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects with minimal supervision.
  • A proactive approach to challenges and a solution-oriented mindset.
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
  • Highly detail-oriented with a focus on delivering high-quality, market-ready products.
  • Maintain, develop and implement data bases and systems (as required) which pertain to the technical information of products
  • Fosters open communication and team environment with all business partners; receives constructive feedback professionally
  • Holds self and others accountable for work commitments and outcomes
  • Ability to prioritize workflow based on deadlines
  • Must be detail oriented with strong organizational skills
    

Hybrid Apparel is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.