Design Technologist

SanMar Corp.; Issaquah (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k match

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid parental leave

Pet insurance

Job summary

SanMar in Issaquah, WA is seeking a Design Technologist who bridges design and technology. You will optimize Adobe Creative Cloud workflows, explore AI-assisted fashion design, and build templates and assets to save the design team time.

You’ll also document best practices and contribute to internal prompt libraries. The role partners with design operations and merchandising to understand needs, pilots new tools, and helps scale the Design Studio roadmap.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in creative/design technologist or related roles, ideally in fashion.
• Strong proficiency with Illustrator and InDesign, including data merge and templates.
• Experience using AI tools for fashion design workflows with work samples.
• Ability to build SOPs, templates, and documentation for teams.
• Familiarity with SharePoint/Box/Drive and Asana for project work.
• Clear written communication that is easy to follow.
• Background in B2B apparel or related industry preferred.
• Exposure to CLO 3D or AI fashion tools is a plus.
• Familiarity with DAM tagging and metadata guidelines.
• Light scripting (JavaScript or Python) to automate workflows desirable.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain templates, automations, and reusable assets in Illustrator and InDesign.
• Train and support designers on Adobe best practices via docs, coaching, and workshops.
• Experiment with AI tools to render 3D or photoreal visuals for internal/external use.
• Stay current on tools like Vizcom, Midjourney, Firefly, Runway, CLO 3D and share findings.
• Contribute to internal prompt libraries and AI workflow documentation.
• Partner with Design Operations to develop SOPs and project workflows.
• Identify workflow inefficiencies and propose designer-friendly solutions.
• Collaborate with fashion design and merchandising teams to solve their needs.
• Pilot new technologies to inform the Design Studio roadmap.
• Perform other duties and comply with policies.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

AI in fashion

SOPs/templates

SharePoint/Box/Drive

Asana

Written communication

B2B apparel experience

3D apparel tools exposure

DAM tagging

Scripting: JS/Python

Training/workshops

Tools

CLO 3D

Browzewear

Midjourney

Adobe Firefly

Vizcom

Runway

Job description

At SanMar, the work you do makes a difference.

What's the Short Version?

The Design Technologist is a key member of our Apparel, Bags and Accessories Design team and works at the intersection of design, technology, and innovation. They help our design team get the most out of Adobe Creative Cloud, explore how AI can support fashion design workflows, and build systems and templates that help the team work smarter.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Build and maintain templates, automations, and reusable assets in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign that save the design team time.
• Help train and support designers, assistant designers, and merchandisers on Adobe best practices through documentation, peer coaching, and team workshops.
• Experiment with AI tools to help transform technical sketches into 3D or photoreal renders for internal and external visual communications.
• Stay current on emerging tools (Vizcom, New Arc, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Runway, CLO, Browzewear, and others) and share findings with the team.
• Contribute to internal prompt libraries, AI workflow documentation, and best practices that make new tools approachable for the team.
• Partner with the Design Operations Manager to develop SOPs, file and folder management standards, and project workflows.
• Spot inefficiencies in current workflows and bring forward practical, designer-friendly solutions.
• Partner with fashion design and merchandising teams to understand their needs and deliver tools that solve them.
• Support the team's growth by piloting new technologies that inform our broader Design Studio roadmap.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

What Are We Looking For?

• 6+ years of experience in a creative/design technologist, production design, design operations, or creative services role - ideally within fashion, apparel, or a related consumer goods industry, or equivalent education.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, with hands-on experience using data merge, master pages, paragraph and character styles, and template systems.
• Demonstrated interest in and experience using AI tools for fashion design or creative workflows, with work samples or examples that show applied use.
• Process orientation with experience building SOPs, templates, or documentation that teams can adopt.
• Familiarity with file and folder management systems (SharePoint, Box, Google Drive, or similar) and project management tools (Asana preferred).
• Clear written communication - you can document workflows in a way that's easy for others to follow.
• Background in B2B apparel, licensed brands, corporate uniforming, or a similar industry is preferred.
• Exposure to 3D apparel tools (CLO 3D, Browzewear, Substance) or AI fashion tools (Vizcom, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly) is preferred.
• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) platforms, including tagging, metadata, and upload guidelines is preferred.
• Light scripting experience (JavaScript for Adobe, Python) to automate workflows is preferred.
• Experience supporting peer training, workshops, or team onboarding is preferred.

What's Our Offer?

Salary Range: You`ll earn between $80,170 - $115,000 annually, depending on experience.

Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.

Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a bi-weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

What Should You Expect?

Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. Periodic travel may be required. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent use of hands for keyboarding and standard office equipment is required. Occasional standing, walking, and reaching may be needed to attend meetings or collaborate in an office setting. The role requires the ability to perform close visual work on a computer for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Why Work at SanMar?

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. They bring their talent, passion and dedication to work with them every day. Their hard work inspires us and gives us purpose. We love working here together. Whether you work in our headquarters, from your home or in one of our distribution centers across North America, we believe that investing in you is just the right thing to do. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health and well-being, life balance, career growth and (eventually) retirement. SanMar works with brands you already know, like Nike, The North Face and Brooks Brothers, as well as providing industry-leading private label apparel and accessories. Our people come to work excited to do their part, providing clothing that helps people feel that they're a part of something special. Here's your chance to be a part of this story. If you're ready to work in a place where your participation matters and your growth is a priority, we're ready for you.

SanMar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Whoever you are, wherever you're from, whoever you love or follow in faith, whatever your disability or superpower status, whichever ethnicity or gender you identify with, you are welcome at SanMar. SanMar participates in E-Verify.