Freelance Technical Designer – Sweaters

Cobalt Fashion; New York (NY); On-site; USD 143,270,000 - 171,924,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobalt Fashion is seeking an experienced Freelance Technical Designer - Sweaters in New York to manage sweater development from concept to production. You will collaborate with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and overseas teams to ensure fit, construction, and quality meet customer requirements.

The role emphasizes strong knitwear knowledge, precise fit evaluation, and production-ready documentation in a fast-paced apparel environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of technical design experience in sweaters/knitwear.
• Strong knowledge of sweater construction, yarns, gauges, stitches.
• Experience with tech packs, measurement charts, construction details.
• Experience collaborating with overseas factories and vendor teams.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator; PLM experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the technical development of sweaters from development through production.
• Conduct fit sessions and evaluate garment fit, construction, measurements, and overall execution.
• Prepare and maintain detailed tech packs, specifications, measurement charts, and construction details.
• Provide clear fit comments and technical direction to overseas factories and vendor teams.
• Review samples at various stages of development and identify necessary fit, construction, and specification adjustments.
• Ensure consistency of fit and sizing across styles and product categories.
• Partner with Design and Product Development to translate design intent into production-ready product.
• Communicate with overseas teams and vendors regarding fit comments, specs, sample revisions, and requirements.
• Manage multiple styles and development timelines while meeting deadlines.

Skills

Technical design

Sweater knitwear

Fit sessions

Tech packs

Overseas factory communication

Garment construction

Adobe Illustrator

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

PLM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you a movement maker? Are you seeking new and exciting career opportunities?

Here is what you need to know about the job:

We are seeking an experienced Freelance Technical Designer - Sweaters to support our Ralsey Sweaters team. This role will partner closely with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and overseas teams to ensure sweater products meet fit, construction, quality, and customer requirements from development through production.

The ideal candidate has strong technical knowledge of sweater and knitwear construction, excellent fit and garment evaluation skills, and experience working in a fast-paced apparel environment.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Fit

• Manage the technical development of sweaters from initial development through production.
• Conduct fit sessions and evaluate garment fit, construction, measurements, and overall execution.
• Prepare and maintain detailed tech packs, specifications, measurement charts, and construction details.
• Provide clear fit comments and technical direction to overseas factories and vendor teams.
• Review samples at various stages of development and identify necessary fit, construction, and specification adjustments.
• Ensure consistency of fit and sizing across styles and product categories.

Sweater & Knitwear Development

• Apply strong knowledge of sweater construction, yarns, gauges, stitches, knit structures, and finishing techniques throughout the development process.
• Evaluate sweater samples for construction, workmanship, measurements, and production feasibility.
• Troubleshoot technical and construction issues and provide solutions to improve fit, quality, and execution.
• Ensure technical requirements are accurately communicated to factories throughout the development and approval process.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Design and Product Development to translate design intent into technically accurate and production-ready product.
• Communicate directly with overseas teams and vendors regarding fit comments, specifications, sample revisions, and technical requirements.
• Manage multiple styles and development timelines simultaneously while meeting established deadlines.
• Support customer-specific fit and technical requirements as needed.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation throughout the product lifecycle.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5+ years of Technical Design experience, preferably within sweaters/knitwear.
• Strong knowledge of sweater construction, knit structures, yarns, gauges, stitches, and finishing techniques.
• Strong experience conducting fit sessions and providing detailed fit and construction comments.
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining tech packs, specifications, measurement charts, and technical documentation.
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and vendor teams.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, grading, fit, and production processes.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office; experience with PLM systems preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Private label and/or major retailer experience is a plus.

Compensation/Benefits

• The approximate annual base salary range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00 per hour. The offered hourly rate for this position 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.