Technical Design Assistant

Short Story; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Paid Time Off

401k with company match

Healthcare, dental and vision benefits

Catered lunch on Fridays

Job summary

Short Story is a petite-focused, tech-powered retailer seeking a Technical Design Assistant to turn design visions into flawless styles. You will oversee fit from fabric through production, build technical packs, measure samples, and coordinate fit sessions with senior designers.

You will work closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, and overseas vendor partners, reporting to the Head of Product Development in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment that values craftsmanship and data-driven

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented with understanding of development and creative operations.
• Solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• 5 days per week onsite at San Francisco Headquarters.
• Measurement exercise will be part of the interview process.

Responsibilities

• Check construction and accurately measure development fit samples against technical specifications, flag deviations ahead of fit sessions.
• Assist in creating initial tech packs for key categories and update BOMs for factories.
• Set up and prepare for weekly fittings, ensuring all samples are accounted for and properly prepped.
• Take accurate notes in fit sessions and support the team in recording fit comments.
• Maintain the WIP and Fit Notes Tracker for up-to-date reporting across the WIP platform.
• Monitor WIP deadlines and workflow, and manage deliverables with the team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Time management

Flat sketching

Adobe Illustrator

Data organization

Proactive

Education

BFA in fashion

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Gerber

Optitex

CLO3D

Browzwear

Google Sheets

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.

Job Description

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.

Compensation Range: $25 - $28