Technical Design Assistant

shortstory; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

401k with company match

Comprehensive healthcare, dental and视n

Y-Combinator backed startup

Catered lunch on Fridays

Company events

Job summary

Short Story is seeking a Technical Design Assistant to turn design vision into flawless petite garments. You will build tech packs, measure samples, run fit session logistics, and keep development data clean, reporting to Head of Product Development.

You’ll collaborate with senior designers, Merchandising, Sourcing, and overseas vendors to ensure craft and fit excellence. You will gain hands-on experience across the product development lifecycle in a fast-growing YC-backed startup, with

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented with strong development and creative ops understanding.
• Able to complete measurement exercise in interview.
• Knowledge of garment construction.
• Experience with development processes and workflow.
• Proficient in Illustrator and flat sketching.
• Familiar with data tools and Google Sheets.
• Manufacturing exposure is a plus.
• Comfortable standing during fit sessions.

Responsibilities

• Check development fit samples against specs and flag deviations.
• Create initial tech packs and update BOMs for factories.
• Coordinate weekly fittings and prep samples.
• Take notes in fit sessions.
• Support fit comments with sketches and data entry.
• Maintain WIP and Fit Notes Tracker across platform.
• Manage deadlines and team deliverables.
• Organize fit samples through approval.

Skills

Measurement accuracy

Adobe Illustrator

Flat sketching

Google Sheets

Data tools

Education

BFA in fashion

Tools

Gerber

Optitex

CLO3D

Browzwear

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 invent better solutions.
• Think Differently. We get a thrill from finding better solutions others haven't seen.

The Role

We are looking for a Technical Design Assistant to help turn design vision into flawlessly made styles for petites. This role requires a high level of precision, timely execution, and knowledge of the product development lifecycle-from fabric through production with a special focus on fit process. You will build tech packs, measure samples, run fit session logistics, capture fit comments, and keep our development data clean.

You'll work with highly experienced professionals who have been doing it for multiple decades. Our senior technical designers have spent their careers solving fit problems. You'll be in every fit session with them. If you want to deepen your knowledge at a company where fit and craftsmanship are valued, this is an unusually direct way to do it. You'll report to our Head of Product Development and work daily with our Senior Technical Designers, Merchandising, Sourcing, and our overseas vendor partners.

Requirements

This role requires a strong attention to detail, an understanding of technical development and creative operations to ensure we make great products. The ideal candidate is solution-oriented, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

This position requires 5 days per week onsite at our San Francisco Headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Check construction & accurately measure development fit samples against technical specifications, making sure they were sampled or produced as requested. Flag deviations ahead of fit sessions.
• Assist in creating initial tech packs for key categories. Update tech packs and BOMs for factories.
• Set up and prepare for weekly fittings - ensuring all samples are accounted for and properly prepped and staged.
• Take accurate notes in fit sessions.
• Support the team in execution of fit comments for key categories - adding notes, technical sketching, data entry.
• Maintain the WIP and Fit Notes Tracker so reporting stays current across the WIP platform
• Monitor WIP deadlines and workflow - manage deliverables with the team.
• Track, check in & organize fit samples in-work through approval.
• Maintain and organize development fit samples when in house.
• Support the team in efficiency and speed-to-market.

Qualifications

• BFA in fashion or the equivalent.
• Demonstrated measurement accuracy. You will complete a measurement exercise as part of the interview process.
• Understanding of garment construction.
• Understanding of development processes and workflow.
• Adobe Illustrator and ability to sketch flat sketches.
• Strong command of Google Sheets and data tools.
• Nice to have: Understanding of apparel and pattern software (gerber, optitex). Knowledge of 3D apparel software (e.g., CLO3D, Browzwear) a plus.
• Factory or production exposure is a strong plus
• Comfortable with hands-on work: standing during fit sessions

What we're looking for

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
• Creative and/or innovative problem-solving skills.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation for this position may vary based on skills and experience
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• 401k with company match
• Comprehensive healthcare, dental and vision benefits
• Opportunity to work at a Y-Combinator backed startup
• Catered lunch on Fridays and company events

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.