Ralph Lauren Senior Technical Designer, Denim & Roughwear

Ralph Lauren; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation in New York is seeking a Senior Technical Designer to lead tech pack creation, maintenance, and approval in PLM across a defined product area. You will act as the technical expert for fit, construction, and execution, guiding teams to production-ready results.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with Design, Product Management, and suppliers, owning technical milestones and delivering quality, scalable design solutions. A fit test may be part of interviews.

Qualifications

• Degree or certification in Apparel Manufacturing, Design, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of garment construction, fit, patternmaking principles, and apparel manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex product categories and technical challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize competing business demands.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build effective relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or developing others.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator required.
• Advanced proficiency in Browzwear or other 3D technologies preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Gerber, PLM, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Demonstrated ability to create, improve, and drive adoption of technical standards, tools, and processes.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert with a high degree of accountability, ownership, and business partnership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, maintenance, and approval of tech packs in PLM, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and quality across an assigned product area.
• Serve as the technical expert and primary resource for fit, construction, specification, and product execution decisions.
• Ensure complete and accurate hand-offs are translated into production-ready technical packages.
• Establish, create, and maintain departmental tools, best practices, standards, and processes that support efficient and consistent product execution.
• Own complex fit, construction, and execution challenges and drive resolution with cross-functional and global partners.
• Lead technical discussions with suppliers, factories, Design, Product Management, and other stakeholders to achieve product intent and commercialization goals.
• Own the integrity, completion, and technical execution of assigned product categories through production approval.
• Drive accountability for seasonal deliverables, technical milestones, and calendar commitments.
• Analyze technical processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and execution.
• Provide guidance, training, and day-to-day support to Technical Designers and less experienced team members.
• Lead and support strategic department initiatives, process improvements, and implementation of new tools or technologies.
• Foster strong partnerships with internal and external business partners and serve as a trusted technical advisor.
• Represent Technical Design in key cross-functional meetings and discussions.
• Maintain accountability for the evolution, adoption, and effectiveness of departmental tools and processes within the product area.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

Relationship-building

Mentoring

Education

Apparel Manufacturing/Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Browzwear

Gerber

PLM

MS Outlook

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

The Senior Technical Designer is responsible for the creation, maintenance, and approval of tech packs in PLM while serving as a technical leader and key business partner within the product creation process. In addition to managing product execution, the Senior Technical Designer is accountable for driving technical standards, developing departmental tools and processes, and ensuring consistency across an assigned product area. This role leverages advanced technical expertise, cross-functional influence, and strong relationships with internal and external partners to deliver commercially successful, production-ready products. The Senior Technical Designer provides guidance to Technical Designers, leads complex technical decision-making, and is ultimately accountable for the technical execution of their assigned product category.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, maintenance, and approval of tech packs in PLM, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and quality across an assigned product area.
• Serve as the technical expert and primary resource for fit, construction, specification, and product execution decisions.
• Ensure complete and accurate hand-offs are translated into production-ready technical packages.
• Establish, create, and maintain departmental tools, best practices, standards, and processes that support efficient and consistent product execution.
• Own complex fit, construction, and execution challenges and drive resolution with cross-functional and global partners.
• Lead technical discussions with suppliers, factories, Design, Product Management, and other stakeholders to achieve product intent and commercialization goals.
• Own the integrity, completion, and technical execution of assigned product categories through production approval.
• Drive accountability for seasonal deliverables, technical milestones, and calendar commitments.
• Analyze technical processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and execution.
• Provide guidance, training, and day-to-day support to Technical Designers and less experienced team members.
• Lead and support strategic department initiatives, process improvements, and implementation of new tools or technologies.
• Foster strong partnerships with internal and external business partners and serve as a trusted technical advisor.
• Represent Technical Design in key cross-functional meetings and discussions.
• Maintain accountability for the evolution, adoption, and effectiveness of departmental tools and processes within the product area.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Degree or certification in Apparel Manufacturing, Design, or related field, or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of garment construction, fit, patternmaking principles, and apparel manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex product categories and technical challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize competing business demands.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build effective relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or developing others.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator required.
• Advanced proficiency in Browzwear or other 3D technologies preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Gerber, PLM, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Demonstrated ability to create, improve, and drive adoption of technical standards, tools, and processes.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert with a high degree of accountability, ownership, and business partnership. Computer Skills: Gerber, PLM, Adobe Illustrator, MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS Word

Please note: Candidates may be asked to participate in an on-site fit test as part of the interview process. The fit test may last up to two hours and will evaluate the candidate's ability to assess garment fit, analyze construction, and communicate technical fit recommendations