Technical Apparel Designer

EMERGING BLUE; Apex (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing lifestyle and apparel brand is seeking an experienced Technical Apparel Designer to oversee fit, construction, and technical execution across apparel categories. This role involves leading fit sessions, managing the spec development process, and ensuring production readiness of garments. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s in Technical Design and at least 8 years of experience, with strong skills in pattern development and proficiency in Adobe Illustrator. The position is pivotal in translating creative vision into high-quality products.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in technical apparel design.
• Formal training in pattern making, garment construction, tailoring, and draping.
• Strong experience with fit, grading, tech packs, and flat sketching.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fit, construction, and technical execution across apparel categories.
• Lead fit sessions with models and cross‑functional partners.
• Ensure garments are production‑ready, meeting all measurement and quality standards.

Skills

Pattern development

Garment construction

Technical execution

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, or a related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Digital pattern tools

3D technical design software

Excel

Job description

Our client is a growing, design-driven women’s lifestyle and apparel brand focused on creating product that connects with and empowers its customer. Known for expressive design, thoughtful details, and a strong commitment to quality, the brand maintains a robust wholesale presence nationwide. As the business continues to expand its apparel offering, they are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Technical Apparel Designer to join their team and support the development of seasonal collections.

Position Overview

The Technical Apparel Designer is responsible for overseeing fit, construction, and technical execution across apparel categories. Working closely with Design, Production, and Vendor partners, this role ensures that each style is developed to meet brand standards from initial concept through production readiness. With a strong balance of technical expertise and cross‑functional collaboration, the Technical Apparel Designer plays a critical role in translating creative vision into consistent, well‑executed product.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the fit and construction expert across apparel categories, establishing and maintaining brand fit standards
• Own the spec development, fitting, and grading process throughout the product lifecycle
• Define grading rules and size standards aligned with brand strategy and customer segmentation
• Establish base size measurements and manage sample requests for new styles
• Lead fit sessions with models and cross‑functional partners, reviewing fit, construction, and placement details against tech packs
• Approve fit samples and grade specs for full size ranges
• Manage fit sampling and collaborate with factory partners to resolve technical challenges
• Create detailed “how to measure” pages within technical packages
• Communicate fit comments clearly to vendors and support revisions through sample iterations
• Support design and development through flat sketching and technical package creation
• Prioritize technical deliverables to support seasonal calendar adherence and cross‑functional alignment
• Participate in design reviews, presentations, and development meetings, providing technical guidance to support design intent
• Make pattern or sample adjustments as needed during fit sessions
• Ensure garments are production‑ready, meeting measurement, construction, and quality standards within timeline requirements
• Maintain seasonal body blocks, fit standards, and measurement libraries to ensure consistency
• Provide technical support related to quality control and production execution
• Partner with sourcing and production teams to support on‑time delivery
• Ensure final tech packs and approved samples are complete and ready for pre‑production handoff
• Lead and mentor direct reports, fostering collaboration and accountability as the team grows

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in technical apparel design
• Formal training in pattern making, garment construction, tailoring, and draping
• Strong experience with pattern development, grading, fittings, tech packs, and flat sketching
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and digital pattern tools
• Experience with 3D technical design is a plus
• Advanced Excel skills for specing and grading
• Solid understanding of the apparel development and bulk production process
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and proactive, with the ability to mentor and manage team members