FREELANCE TECHNICAL DESIGNER - Private Label Apparel

Li & Fung; New York (NY); On-site; USD 69,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

Li & Fung seeks a Freelance Technical Designer to support technical development of men’s and women’s apparel across multiple categories. You will ensure fit, construction integrity, and technical accuracy from development through production.

Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to maintain aesthetic while resolving technical challenges. Proficiency in PLM and Illustrator plus strong Excel skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, Textile Science or related field.
• 5–7+ years of technical design experience across Men’s and/or Women’s apparel, multi-category experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking, grading, fit development, fabric performance and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical design support across Men’s and Women’s apparel categories, ensuring optimal fit, construction, quality, and consistency.
• Create and maintain detailed tech packs, graded specifications, BOMs, construction pages, and fit documentation using PLM and Excel.
• Apply garment construction, patternmaking, grading, and fit knowledge when reviewing and refining styles across product categories.
• Conduct fittings independently and provide clear fit comments focused on consistency, functionality, quality, and commercialization.
• Collaborate with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to support end-to-end development.

Skills

Technical design

Garment construction

Patternmaking

Grading

Fit development

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Excel

PLM systems

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, Textile Science

Tools

PLM systems

PLM software suites

Job description

Join our dynamic team and take your career to the next level with our innovative and fast-paced apparel organization. We are seeking a skilled Freelance Technical Designer to support the technical development and execution of Men’s and Women’s apparel across multiple product categories within our LF Markets Private Label Apparel division. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the fit, quality, construction integrity, and technical accuracy of products from development through production. You will partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Production, and global sourcing teams to support the successful execution of our Private Label apparel business across a variety of Men’s and Women’s categories.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical design support across Men’s and Women’s apparel categories, ensuring optimal fit, construction, quality, and consistency.
• Create and maintain detailed tech packs, graded specifications, BOMs, construction pages, and fit documentation using PLM and Excel.
• Apply strong garment construction, patternmaking, grading, and fit knowledge when reviewing and refining styles across various product categories.
• Conduct fittings independently and provide clear, detailed fit comments focused on consistency, functionality, quality, and commercialization.
• Evaluate and measure samples from prototype through TOP approval, ensuring accuracy and consistency across size ranges.
• Partner closely with Design to maintain the intended aesthetic while resolving technical, fit, and construction challenges.
• Communicate effectively with factories and overseas partners regarding fit corrections, construction details, fabric performance, quality issues, and execution solutions.
• Track sample development and approvals against seasonal calendars to support on-time delivery.
• Establish and maintain fit, construction, and quality standards across product categories.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to fit, garment construction, fabric performance, shrinkage, stretch and recovery, seam construction, and overall garment performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production teams to support end-to-end product development.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, specifications, comments, and approvals within PLM systems.
• Manage multiple styles, categories, priorities, and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Provide additional technical design support based on customer and business needs.

Skills & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, Textile Science, or a related field preferred.
• 5–7+ years of technical design experience across Men’s and/or Women’s apparel, with experience across multiple product categories preferred.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking, grading, fit development, fabric performance, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of woven and knit fabrications, garment construction, fit standards, and product quality across a range of apparel categories.
• Proven ability to independently lead fittings from development through TOP approval.
• Experience working with major retail customers and managing customer-specific technical requirements preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams and global vendors.
• High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, and PLM systems.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple styles, product categories, and seasonal deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation & Benefits

The approximate hourly rate range for this position is $50.00–$55.00 per hour. The offered hourly rate will vary based on role requirements, skill set, and years of experience.

As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.