Design Technologist

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

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

SanMar Corp. is seeking a Design Technologist to bridge design, tech, and innovation. You’ll create templates and automations in Illustrator and InDesign, train designers, and explore AI-enabled workflows to transform sketches into visuals. The role emphasizes SOP development, DAM familiarity, and collaboration across design teams.

Hybrid work at the Issaquah office with strong emphasis on documentation, asset management, and ongoing learning of tools like Vizcom, Midjourney, CLO 3D and more.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in design technologist, production design, or creative services.
• Proficient in Illustrator and InDesign; data merge, master pages, styles, templates.
• Experience with AI tools for fashion design or creative workflows; samples/portfolio.
• Experience creating SOPs, templates, and documentation for teams.
• Familiar with SharePoint/Box/Drive and project tools (Asana preferred).

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain templates, automations, and reusable assets in Illustrator and InDesign.
• Train designers and merchandisers on Adobe best practices via docs and workshops.
• Experiment with AI tools to render sketches into 3D or photoreal visuals.
• Stay updated on new tools and share findings with the team.
• Develop SOPs and workflows with Design Operations; improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with design and merchandising to deliver tool solutions.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe CC proficiency

AI tools for design

Documentation

Asana

Strong communication

Tools

SharePoint

Box

Google Drive

CLO 3D

Midjourney

Runway

Vizcom

Adobe Firefly

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.
• 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:

• 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

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.