Senior Designer – Sweaters

Jobtailor

Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

13 days ago

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Job summary

URBN, headquartered in Philadelphia, seeks an accomplished Sweater Designer to lead concept-to-execution for the Free People sweater category. You will drive knitting patterns, yarn selection, and construction methods in collaboration with senior leaders.

This role demands strong CAD skills, trend forecasting, and the ability to translate ideas into market-ready garments. You will manage development calendars across Retail and Wholesale, work onsite at URBN's World Headquarters, and mentor a

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design or related field is required, with sweater knitting experience preferred.
9+ years of Sweater Design experience and deep yarn knowledge.
Strong understanding of fully fashioned sweater construction, fit, and production processes.

Responsibilities

Lead design projects for the Free People sweater category from concept to execution.
Develop seasonal collections with knit stitch and pattern development for on-trend products.
Coordinate with Design Director, Design Coordinator, Product Development, and Technical Design teams.
Present design vision in key meetings and ensure cohesive products for Retail and Wholesale.

Skills

Sweater design

Trend forecasting

CAD skills

Pattern development

Mock garment creation

Project management

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design

Tools

Procreate

Photoshop

Illustrator

Google Slides

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Gmail

CAD software

Job description

Lead development of design projects supporting the Free People Collection Sweaters category
Design seasonal collections from initial concept research through knit stitch and pattern development, execution, and presentations
Support the team in ensuring designs and resulting products are cohesive and on-trend for the Free People customer
Work closely with the Senior Director on design creation, development, and execution of own-brand sweater products
Forecast fashion and cultural trends and relate them to the Free People customer
Collaborate, brainstorm, and present monthly trend direction alongside the Design Director
Support seasonal development calendars for Retail and Wholesale deliveries
Identify global emerging trends in concepts, stitches, patterns, and yarns
Create and execute new pattern, stitch, and garment-construction layout ideas
Manage development and execution of design packages with the Design Director
Coordinate follow-up communication with the Design Coordinator, Product Development, and Technical Design teams
Review samples for fit and construction and attend fittings
Communicate adjustments to technical teams and factories through written comments and technical sketches
Conduct design research on industry trends, color direction, and fabric innovations
Sketch new ideas using Procreate and Adobe programs and use AI platforms such as Midjourney for creative research
Create and execute original knitwear designs with in-house knitters and overseas partners
Present design vision in key design meetings
Advance the sweater category with creative and innovative designs while responding to business objectives

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design with related sweater knitting field experience strongly preferred
9+ years experience in Sweater Design
Deep knowledge and expertise in yarns and sweater materials
Understanding of sweater process development timeline and execution
Full comprehension of fully fashioned sweater construction and fit
Strong technical knowledge of sweater design and production processes, yarn qualities and sizes, knitting techniques, stitches, and construction
Expert knowledge of knitting and sweater garment construction, knit machines, yarns, trims, and washes
Ability to mock full garments from patterns, inspiration, or draping on a form
Ability to translate and innovate seasonal pattern direction
Advanced understanding of yarn textiles, garment construction/fit, raw materials, and product production
Creativity and strength in pushing new ideas, silhouettes, and design concepts
Ability to identify trends in early stages and understand their impact on fashion sweaters
Ability to adapt aspirational ideas and key details for a broader audience and the Free People customer
Ability to research and report on industry trends, yarn direction, and knitwear innovations 9–12 months ahead of season
Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator
Strong project management and organizational skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to respond to business objectives with creative, innovative, and cost-effective design solutions
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Some experience managing 1–2 team members is an added value
Proficient in Google Slides, Docs, Sheets, and Gmail
Ability to work onsite 3–5 days per week at URBN's World Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in Sweater Design, including advanced knowledge of Yarn Textiles, Garment Construction, and Knitting Techniques. Capable of leading design projects from concept to execution while identifying and adapting to emerging Fashion Trends.

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