Technical Designer | Apparel Development & Production - San Diego, CA

Rowan; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rowan is seeking a Technical Designer in San Diego to bridge design, development, and production. You will turn concepts into production-ready tech packs, maintain measurements, and collaborate with design and manufacturers.

Responsibilities include leading fit sessions, refining construction details, and ensuring quality across categories while keeping timelines. Strong knowledge of garment construction and Adobe Illustrator is essential; domestic LA-based manufacturing experience valued.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in technical design, apparel development, or a closely related role.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking, fit, grading, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience creating and managing detailed tech packs and technical specifications.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Excel; experience with PLM systems is a plus.
• Experience with domestic or Los Angeles-based manufacturing is highly valued.
• Excellent organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate designs into detailed tech packs and production-ready specifications.
• Develop and maintain accurate measurements, grading specs, and garment standards.
• Collaborate with design to preserve creative intent throughout development.
• Provide technical recommendations on fabric, fit, construction, and finishing.
• Lead fit sessions and manage sample reviews through pre-production.
• Troubleshoot production challenges with practical, cost-conscious solutions.
• Serve as the interface between design and domestic manufacturing partners.
• Ensure timely updates are communicated and transitions to bulk production are smooth.
• Maintain organized technical documentation and specs.

Skills

Garment construction

Patternmaking

Tech packs

Collaboration

Organization

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Excel

PLM systems

Job description

Technical Designer | Apparel Development & Production

Full-Time | On-Site

Compensation: Annual Salary based on experience

About Rowan

Rowan is a family-founded lifestyle brand creating timeless American-made essentials designed for everyday life. We believe in thoughtful design, exceptional quality, and creating pieces that are made to be worn often and loved longer.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for a talented and detail-oriented Technical Designer to join our San Diego team and help bring our collections from concept through production.

The Opportunity

We're looking for someone who understands both the creative and technical sides of apparel development. Someone who can take a design vision and help turn it into a beautifully constructed, production-ready garment.

This role will work closely with our design, product development, and manufacturing partners to ensure our products meet Rowan's standards for fit, quality, construction, and consistency.

The ideal candidate is equal parts technical, collaborative, organized, and solutions-oriented, with a strong understanding of garment construction and the apparel manufacturing process.

This is a hands-on role that sits at the intersection of design, development, and production.

What You'll Do

Technical Design & Product Development

• Translate design concepts into detailed technical specifications and production-ready tech packs.
• Develop and maintain accurate measurements, construction details, grading specifications, and garment standards.
• Collaborate with design to ensure creative intent is maintained throughout development.
• Provide technical recommendations on fabric, fit, construction, and finishing.
• Help identify opportunities to improve product quality, consistency, and efficiency.

Fit, Sampling & Quality

• Lead and participate in fit sessions, evaluating garment fit, proportions, construction, and overall quality.
• Communicate clear fit comments, revisions, and technical corrections to manufacturing partners.
• Manage sample reviews and approvals from initial prototypes through pre-production.
• Establish and maintain fit and quality standards across product categories.
• Troubleshoot construction and production challenges with practical, cost-conscious solutions.

Manufacturing & Production Collaboration

• Serve as a key connection between Rowan's design team and domestic manufacturing partners.
• Communicate technical requirements, specifications, and production updates clearly and consistently.
• Partner with factories and production teams to resolve fit, construction, and quality issues.
• Support the transition from product development into bulk production.
• Help ensure products are delivered accurately, consistently, and according to established timelines.

Process & Organization

• Maintain organized and accurate technical documentation, fit notes, sample tracking, and product specifications.
• Help improve development workflows and communication between design and production.
• Track product revisions and ensure approved changes are reflected in final specifications.
• Support a collaborative, efficient product development process as Rowan continues to grow.

Who We're Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in technical design, apparel development, or a closely related role.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking principles, fit, grading, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience creating and managing detailed tech packs and technical specifications.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Excel; experience with apparel PLM systems is a plus.
• Experience working directly with apparel manufacturers and production teams.
• Strong understanding of fabrics, garment washes, finishes, and quality standards.
• Excellent organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple styles and development timelines simultaneously.
• A collaborative, proactive mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Experience with premium casualwear, knitwear, denim, or contemporary lifestyle apparel is a plus.
• Experience with domestic or Los Angeles-based manufacturing is highly valued.

We're a growing, family-founded brand that cares deeply about the products we make and the people who make them. We believe great design isn't just about how something looks. It's about how it fits, feels, wears, and lasts.

This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping the quality and consistency of Rowan's products while working closely with a passionate team across design, development, and manufacturing.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in the details, enjoys solving problems, and wants to help build something that lasts.

If you're passionate about thoughtful product development, quality craftsmanship, and bringing great apparel to life, we'd love to meet you.