Senior Technical Designer - Tops & Dresses

Shortstory; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Flexible PTO

Catered lunch on Fridays

Employee discount

YC‑backed startup team

Job summary

Short Story is seeking a Senior Technical Designer for Tops & Dresses to lead fit excellence from concept to production. You will own the technical fit process and partner with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, and global vendors to deliver best‑in‑class garments for petite clients.

The role centers on driving accurate Tech Packs, fit comment rich guidance, and production readiness, within a fast‑paced startup environment that values data‑driven feedback and rapid iteration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in Women's Tops and Dresses technical design with category specialization.
• 5+ years patternmaking experience.
• Strong Petite Fit and grading understanding.

Responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end fit process from first fit through bulk production.
• Oversee block patterns and spec library for consistent fit.
• Develop and maintain Tech Packs with detailed fit comments for vendors.
• Lead weekly fit sessions for product categories.
• Analyze best and worst sellers to drive fit improvements.
• Manage time & actions to meet delivery deadlines.
• Support Technical Design Tools and drive fit initiatives.
• Vendor management and monthly fit metrics tracking.
• Collaborate across design, merchandising, and product development.

Skills

Petite fit expertise

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication

Time management

Startup mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

2D pattern software

Adobe Illustrator

Google Sheets

Pattern grading

Job description

Our Story:

Short Story is an award winning, technology powered retailer dedicated to petite women 5'4" and under. Our mission is to create a seamless shopping experience for millions of petite women so they can dress with effortless confidence.

As a fast-growing startup, we're revolutionizing retail with a data driven learning system that leverages customer feedback to create tailored products. We've been recognized by top publications like Forbes, Fortune and are backed by leading investors who share our vision of building the world's next great consumer brand.

Our Values:

We're building a company with intention and purpose. Our culture thrives on data insights, exceptional commitment to fit, and the urgency to move quickly on what matters.

• Transform Lives.We're customer-first. Everything we create exists to give her confidence.
• Demand Excellence.We deliver only our best work, in Fit and Finish. We obsess about details others overlook.
• Embrace Challenges.We see obstacles as opportunities to innovate better solutions.
• Think Differently.We get a thrill from finding better solutions others haven't seen.

The Role:

We are seeking a Senior Technical Designer, Tops & Dresses to lead fit excellence and technical development for our Tops and Dresses categories, ensuring every garment delivers best-in-class fit, consistency, and quality for petite clients. This role sits at the center of product creation - owning the technical fit process from concept through production. You will partner cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, and global vendor teams to translate creative vision into technically sound, production‑ready garments. The ideal candidate is solution‑oriented, proactive, and thrives in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Location: This role is based onsite at our headquarters in San Francisco, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the end‑to‑end fit process from first fit through bulk production
• Oversee the development of block patterns and spec library to achieve consistent fit for your product categories carrying out seasonal product reviews
• Develop and maintain Tech Packs throughout the product creation process. Ensuring detailed fit comments are created for Vendors domestic and offshore
• Manage weekly fit sessions for your product categories
• Analyze best and worst sellers for your product categories, driving continuous fit improvements
• Manage time and actions. Ensure products are approved on time to meet delivery deadlines
• Support with building out Technical Design Tools and driving key fit initiatives
• Vendor Management and tracking monthly fit metrics
• Collaborate across design, merchandising, and product development to refine style and fit (especially balancing comfort and proportions for petites)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or equivalent professional experience
• 8+ years of experience in Women's Tops and Dresses technical design with strong category specialization
• 5+ years of experience in patternmaking
• A solid understanding of Petite Fit and grading.
• Mastery of 2D Pattern Software, Google Sheets, Adobe Illustrator
• Experience working with factories directly (overseas and domestic) and resolving real‑world production challenges

Key Skillsets:

• Impeccable attention to detail required when creating and reviewing technical specifications
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to diagnose fit and construction issues quickly, propose actionable solutions, and iterate effectively
• Clear Communication: Skilled in conveying technical feedback clearly to both creative teams and factory partners across time zones
• Customer‑Centric Mindset: Passionate about delivering exceptional product fit and functionality for Petite clients, with empathy for their unique needs
• Time & Project Management: Capable of managing multiple styles, calendars, and deliverables without compromising accuracy or quality
• Strong communicator who can thrive in a scrappy startup environment

Why This Role:

Most TDs spend their careers guessing. You fit a sample, send it to production, and find out months later whether it worked. This role is different.

You’ll work directly with a live customer feedback system that tells you in real time how actual petite women are experiencing the fit you built. That feedback loop informs every iteration. You’ll see the full arc from technical decision to customer outcome faster than anywhere else in the industry. Here, you work with a focused team where your fit calls have direct, visible impact on what ships and how customers feel wearing it.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Actual compensation for this position may vary based on skills, experience, and business needs
• Comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k with company match
• Flexible PTO policy & paid holidays
• Catered lunch on Fridays and company events
• Employee discount on merchandise
• Opportunity to work at a Y‑Combinator backed startup alongside a dedicated and experienced founding team

Short Story is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and a work environment free of discrimination and harassment for all employees and applicants. We work diligently to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.