Manager of Technical Design - Dresses

J.Crew; New York (NY); On-site; USD 109,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Well-being

Associate Discount

Summer Fridays

Community Impact

Winter Break

Job summary

J.Crew is seeking an experienced Technical Designer to lead the Women’s Dresses team, ensuring fit, construction and quality across the full development process. You will mentor designers, coordinate with Design, Production and Merchandising, and manage tech packs, specs and BOMs for multiple silhouettes.

The role requires 9+ years in technical design, strong patternmaking and pattern translation skills, and proficiency in Excel and Illustrator.

Qualifications

• 9+ years of technical design experience with demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of grade rules, sewing techniques, and garment construction specific to dress product.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator with strong technical documentation skills.
• Strong communication, organizational, and mentoring abilities with sharp attention to detail and team training skills.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate fit problems and conduct independent fitting sessions on live models.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Technical Designers and Associate Technical Designers, fostering growth and ensuring high-quality execution of the design vision.
• Collaborate with Design, Production, and Merchandising teams to ensure seamless project execution and adherence to the PLC and production calendar.
• Manage comprehensive technical documentation, including tech packs, fit comments, specs, and bill of materials, while maintaining detailed data history for samples and patterns.
• Provide innovative solutions for fit challenges by conducting independent fit sessions, evaluating problems on live models, and translating corrections to patterns across a range of silhouettes, drapes, and linings.
• Coordinate information flow across fit processes, including sample tracking, tech log updates, and factory communications, while partnering with field representatives and vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure production feasibility.

Skills

Technical Design Leadership

Patternmaking

Communication

Mentoring

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Illustrator

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design / Fashion Design or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Illustrator

FlexPLM or PLM system

Job description

Our Story

J.Crew gets you dressed every day, for every occasion.

Since 1983, we’ve been creating classics that feel familiar and refreshingly new, crafted with unbeatable quality and distinctive point of view—it’s no wonder we’ve been in your closet for four decades and counting.

Today, we continue to do the classics our way, inspiring not only how you shop but how you define your personal style. Our commitment runs deeper than just making great clothes—we’re proud of our role in getting you dressed with confidence, character, and celebrating a distinctly American sensibility that makes us who we are.

Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Sustainability has been celebrated with industry recognition, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable workplace.

The Role + Purpose

We’re looking for an experienced technical designer to head our Women’s Dresses team and uphold the brand’s standards for fit, construction, and quality. In this role, you’ll drive technical excellence across the full development process—from fit sessions to factory communications—while mentoring a team and collaborating closely with Design, Production, and Merchandising. We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds who bring strong technical expertise, sharp problem-solving skills, and a passion for crafting exceptional dresses.

• Lead and mentor a team of Technical Designers and Associate Technical Designers, fostering growth and ensuring high-quality execution of the design vision.
• Collaborate with Design, Production, and Merchandising teams to ensure seamless project execution and adherence to the PLC and production calendar.
• Manage comprehensive technical documentation, including tech packs, fit comments, specs, and bill of materials, while maintaining detailed data history for samples and patterns.
• Provide innovative solutions for fit challenges by conducting independent fit sessions, evaluating problems on live models, and translating corrections to patterns across a range of silhouettes, drapes, and linings.
• Coordinate information flow across fit processes, including sample tracking, tech log updates, and factory communications, while partnering with field representatives and vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure production feasibility.

Qualifications

Required:

• 9+ years of technical design experience with demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of grade rules, sewing techniques, and garment construction methods specific to dress product, including draping, linings, closures, and varied silhouettes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator with strong technical documentation skills.
• Strong communication, organizational, and mentoring abilities with sharp attention to detail and team training skills.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate fit problems and conduct independent fitting sessions on live models.

Preferred:

• Experience with multiple product classifications and FlexPLM or similar PLM system experience.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Fashion Design, or equivalent experience is a plus, but not required.
• Patternmaking experience is preferred, with the ability to translate fit corrections directly into pattern adjustments.

Our passion is scouting life-long learners who are driven by curiosity, and who feel connected to our brands and share our desire to make an impact. We’re always seeking bright new talent who leverage their unique experiences to discover, grow and evolve with our teams.

Benefits + Perks

• Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
• Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
• Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
• Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
• Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

Note: Availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to work location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements.

Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $140,400.00

At J.Crew Group (JCG) we aim to pay competitively for our company’s size and industry. The base salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work premises, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. The base salary is just one component of J.Crew Group’s competitive total rewards strategy that also includes the opportunity for bonus, competitive benefits and perks.

One of our core focuses here at JCG is creating a community and culture that builds belonging. We are deeply committed to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, and we warmly welcome job applicants of all backgrounds.

JCG is proud to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all associates and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, legally protected physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected under applicable law.