Sr. Women's Outerwear Designer

ASHFORD CONNEX, LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ASHFORD CONNEX, LLC is seeking a Senior Women’s Technical Outerwear Designer with 7+ years in performance, outdoor and technical apparel. The role leads creative direction and translates design concepts into technically sound jackets, with emphasis on construction, fit, fabrication and cost engineering.

You will develop technical drawings, tech packs, work with production and overseas partners, and integrate AI-powered tools into the design workflow to accelerate innovation while maintaining

Qualifications

• 7+ years of women’s outerwear design experience.
• Strong jacket engineering and construction knowledge.
• Proficient in AI-powered design tools.
• Portfolio demonstrating technical construction and fit.
• Ability to translate concepts into technically sound garments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of women’s technical and performance outerwear.
• Create technical drawings, tech packs, and construction details.
• Select materials, insulation, and trims based on product needs.
• Develop silhouettes balancing fit with performance.
• Collaborate with production and overseas manufacturers for costing.
• Incorporate AI into design and development process.
• Research new AI design technologies.
• Maintain communication across merchandising and factories.

Skills

AI proficiency

Jacket engineering

Fit & proportion

Cost engineering

Trend research

Tools

AI design tools

Job description

SENIOR WOMEN'S OUTERWEAR DESIGNER

Our client is seeking a seasoned Senior Women’s Technical Outerwear Designer with 7+ years of women’s outerwear design experience, particularly within performance, outdoor and technical apparel.

This role requires someone who understands the complete product lifecycle and can translate a design concept into a technically sound, commercially viable jacket. The ideal candidate is well-versed in construction, fit, fabrication, performance features and cost engineering, from the initial design stage through production.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the creative direction and development of assigned Women’s technical and performance outerwear categories
• Produce technical drawings, detailed tech packs and garment construction details to clearly communicate design intent
• Select and apply appropriate outerwear materials, insulation systems and functional trims based on the needs of each product
• Develop silhouettes that balance women’s fit and proportion with technical performance, while maintaining a feminine and commercially appealing aesthetic
• Monitor the marketplace through trend, consumer and competitive research, translating findings into opportunities for new silhouettes, materials, colors, performance features and product innovation
• Work hand-in-hand with Production teams and overseas manufacturing partners to evaluate costing and identify areas for cost optimization across materials, construction, trims and garment engineering
• Find cost efficiencies while ensuring that product quality, functionality, performance and overall design intent are maintained
• Incorporate AI-powered technology into the day-to-day design and development process, using these tools for concept creation, trend and competitive analysis, color development, visualization and workflow optimization
• Research and evaluate new AI design technologies and emerging tools to determine how they can further improve the outerwear design and development process
• Maintain ongoing communication with Merchandising, Production and overseas factories throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept through final production

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years of hands-on Women’s Outerwear design experience, with significant exposure to technical, outdoor and performance products
• A highly developed understanding of jacket engineering and construction, with the ability to design products based on how they function and are built — not simply their visual appearance
• Strong knowledge of women’s fit, proportion, silhouette, fabrication, insulation and functional components
• Ability to merge technical functionality with feminine design and commercial appeal
• Strong understanding of cost engineering and the ability to collaborate with manufacturing partners to achieve target costs without sacrificing product integrity, performance or aesthetic
• Strong commercial and market awareness, with the ability to identify relevant opportunities through trend, consumer and competitive research
• A forward-thinking approach to technology, including the ability to effectively incorporate AI into the creative and product-development process
• AI proficiency is required. Candidates must have hands-on experience using AI-powered tools for areas such as design, research, visualization and product development
• Portfolio required. Portfolio must demonstrate substantial Women’s Outerwear experience and provide examples of technical construction, fit, fabrication and completed products