Freelance Technical Designer

Rookline; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rookline is seeking a Technical Designer to ensure brand fit and construction accuracy across categories. You will communicate style intent to offshore factories and manage tech packs, fitting sessions, and construction details.

Strong Illustrator and CAD skills are required to drive quality while coordinating with design and production teams. Ideal candidates have 5+ years in pattern work, a technical design background, and proven ability to manage multiple fittings and calendar-driven

Qualifications

• 5+ years minimum related experience to working with patterns and design teams on men's sportswear or related experience preferred.
• 3 years’ experience with Adobe Illustrator- this is mandatory.
• Experience illustrating pattern corrections using drawing software.
• Experience using Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Illustrator, PLM knowledge a must.
• Bachelor’s degree or related education in Technical Design preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Senior Designer to enhance and evolve processes and procedures, as business evolves, while driving to elevate the quality of the product.
• Maintain approved sample and block library.
• Maintain all Tech Packs in shared drive for easy access of cross functional teams.
• Maintain consistent fit across product categories. Ensure blocks are properly established and correctly.
• Effective communication and collaboration with technical counterparts at vendor/factory and overseas team regarding all technical issues and sample corrections.
• Understand fabrics and how specifications impact garment fit – stretch, recovery, modulus, etc.
• Partner with design up front to interpret style concepts.
• Create and/or maintain technical package. Ensure technical packages are consistent with customer standards. Update package details as needed with product evolution.
• Create and update measurement specifications.
• Maintain and update construction pages using Adobe Illustrator.
• Check and review graded specs for any discrepancies.
• Review factory patterns using CAD (Tuka) software for accuracy. Advise pattern corrections as needed and collaborate with Patternmaker when necessary.
• Lead and own production fit and PP, size run and TOP sample fit session on mannequin and live model.
• Prepare samples for fitting.
• Maintain fit schedule by utilizing fit time efficiently.
• Take photographs on fit model- front, back and side, and any details.
• Evaluate fit and construction on samples.
• Document fit/construction comments, upload visual images andtechnical sketches.
• Collaborate with the production team to understand calendar and execute accordingly.
• Call out potential concerns up front. Elevate issues as they occur.
• Understand and execute efficiently and cost effectively all technical aspects.
• Review graded nests as needed.
• Participate in special projects.
• Various other duties, projects and responsibilities may fall under this role on an as needed basis.

Skills

Pattern development

Adobe Illustrator

Communication

Time management

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office

PLM software

Tuka CAD

Job description

The Rookline Technical Designer (TD) is primarily responsible for brand fit product consistency, construction, and quality as appropriate by category, keeping the customer top of mind. The role must fully understand each individual style to communicate to the offshore factories enabling style execution. TD must adhere to brand calendars and targets by working closely with cross functional partners and must be able to effectively communicate design fit intent via tech packs created by them or via conference calls / video conference calls to an audience where English is their 2 nd language.Fitting of garments (cutting / pinning / draping) and recapping those fittings is a mandatory skill.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Senior Designer to enhance and evolve processes and procedures, as business evolves, while driving to elevate the quality of the product.
• Maintain approved sample and block library.
• Maintain all Tech Packs in shared drive for easy access of cross functional teams.
• Maintain consistent fit across product categories. Ensure blocks are properly established and correctly
• Effective communication and collaboration with technical counterparts at vendor/factory and overseas team regarding all technical issues and sample corrections.
• Understand fabrics and how specifications impact garment fit – stretch, recovery, modulus, etc.
• Partner with design up front to interpret style concepts.
• Create and/or maintain technical package. Ensure technical packages are consistent with customer standards. Update package details as needed with product evolution.
• Create and update measurement specifications.
• Maintain and update construction pages using Adobe Illustrator.
• Check and review graded specs for any discrepancies.
• Review factory patterns using CAD (Tuka) software for accuracy. Advise pattern corrections as needed and collaborate with Patternmaker when necessary.
• Lead and own production fit and PP, size run and TOP sample fit session on mannequin and live model.
• Prepare samples for fitting.
• Maintain fit schedule by utilizing fit time efficiently.
• Take photographs on fit model- front, back and side, and any details.
• Evaluate fit and construction on samples.
• Document fit/construction comments, upload visual images andtechnical sketches.
• Collaborate with the production team to understand calendar and execute accordingly.
• Call out potential concerns up front. Elevate issues as they occur.
• Understand and execute efficiently and cost effectively all technical aspects.
• Review graded nests as needed.
• Participate in special projects.
• Various other duties, projects and responsibilities may fall under this role on an as needed basis.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• 5+ years minimum related experience to working with patterns and design teams on men's sportswear or related experience preferred.
• 3 years’ experience with Adobe Illustrator- this is mandatory.Candidate must be fluent and fast with sketching.
• Experience illustrating pattern corrections using drawing software.
• Experience using Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Illustrator, PLM knowledge a must.
• Bachelor’s degree or related education in Technical Design preferred.
• Ability to communicate in writing clear and concise thoughts.
• Knowledge of production and costing preferred.
• Basic textiles and fabric layout (engineering) knowledge.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Excellent time management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Develop strong internal and external relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.