Senior Apparel Technical Designer

SANDY LIANG; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandy Liang seeks an experienced Technical Design Manager to lead technical development across four seasonal collections from proto through QC and bulk production. You will translate design intent into production-ready garments, oversee all tech packs, vendor communication, and fit standards.

This senior role thrives in a fast-paced, design-led environment, demanding deep expertise in contemporary womenswear construction and independent quality leadership within an in-person NYC setting.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Technical Design for designer womenswear and tailoring.
• Deep pattern making and luxury/contemporary garment construction knowledge.
• Proven track record owning fit and quality standards independently.
• Degree in Technical Design or Patternmaking preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design pass-off for tailoring and cut‑and‑sew styles with technical support.
• Translate design intent into production-ready prototypes with vendors.
• Lead fittings; evaluate fit on live models and provide actionable feedback.
• Provide fit comments with construction feedback to confirm intent.
• Own and maintain block and fit sample library across seasons.
• Maintain product calendars and deadlines with proactive communication.
• Create, update, and approve grading rules.

Skills

Planning & Organization

Communication

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

Degree in Technical Design or Patternmaking

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Illustrator

Job description

Sandy Liang is seeking an experienced Technical Design Manager to lead technical development across four collections a year, from proto through QC and bulk production. Categories include wovens, cut and sew, and knitwear. This role works closely with the Creative Director and design team to translate design intent into precise, production-ready garments, and oversees all tech packs, vendor communication, and fit standards.

This is a senior, quality-focused position suited to a technical designer with deep expertise in contemporary womenswear construction, who can independently drive standards across a fast-paced, design-led collection.

This role is in person in downtown NYC.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead design pass-off for tailoring and cut-and-sew styles, providing technical support to design for detail sketches during development
• Translate design intent into accurate, production-ready prototypes in partnership with vendor partners
• Lead, organize, and prepare all fittings; evaluate fit on live models and deliver clear, actionable technical feedback
• Provide fit comments with pattern corrections, illustration sketches, and construction feedback to confirm fit and design intent
• Own and maintain the block and fit sample library, ensuring consistency and quality across seasons
• Maintain product calendars and deadlines through consistent, proactive communication
• Support team leads on new block development and cross-functional projects
• Create, update, and approve grading rules

Technical & Quality Ownership

• Set up and manage tech packs with complete, accurate garment specifications throughout design, development, and production
• Facilitate hand-off packages to factories and ensure fit and construction adjustments are executed on time and to spec
• Manage fit comment communication with factories and sample makers through to final, approved SMS
• Ensure all samples are accurately spec'd and tracked; maintain organized records of construction standards for consistency across new developments
• Hold vendors accountable to agreed specifications; ensure any deviations are proactively flagged and documented, not discovered after the fact
• Uphold Sandy Liang's quality standards at the contemporary price point, with particular attention to embroidery, tailoring, and construction detail
• Prepare pre-production tech packs and calculate accurate yields ahead of costing
• Organize and maintain the pattern library; advise on fittings, technical issues, finishing, and construction

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years' experience in a Technical Design role, with strong expertise in designer womenswear and tailoring
• Deep pattern making and luxury/contemporary garment construction knowledge required
• Proven track record owning fit and quality standards independently, with minimal oversight
• Degree in Technical Design or Patternmaking preferred

Skills

• Strong planning and organizational skills across time, action calendars, and multiple concurrent projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication; comfortable taking initiative and driving decisions
• Highly detail-oriented, self-motivated, and solution-oriented
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative team player
• Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Illustrator

• Ability to prioritize effectively within a fast-paced, design-led environment