Senior Technical Designer - Tops & Dresses

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 and Fortune and are backed by investors who share our vision of building the world’s next great consumer brand. Our Values 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 seeking a Technical Designer, Tops & Dresses to lead fit excellence and technical development for our Tops and Dresses categories, ensuring every garment delivers best‑in‑class fit, consistency, and quality for petite clients. This role sits at the center of product creation—owning the technical fit process from concept through production. You will partner cross‑functionally with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, and global vendor teams to translate creative vision into technically sound, production‑ready garments. You bring deep expertise in fit, pattern, and garment construction, paired with a strong command of development workflows. You are highly detail‑oriented, proactive, and thrive in a fast‑paced environment where precision and speed are equally critical. This role is based onsite at our headquarters in San Francisco, CA. Responsibilities Manage the end‑to‑end fit process from first fit through bulk production. Oversee the development of block patterns and spec library to achieve consistent fit for your product categories, carrying out seasonal product reviews. Develop and maintain Tech Packs throughout the product creation process, ensuring detailed fit comments are created for vendors domestic and offshore. Manage weekly fit sessions for your product categories. Analyze best and worst sellers for your product categories, driving continuous fit improvements. Manage time and actions. Ensure products are approved on time to meet delivery deadlines. Support building out Technical Design Tools and driving key fit initiatives. Vendor Management and tracking monthly fit metrics. Collaborate across design, merchandising, and product development to refine style and fit, especially balancing comfort and proportions for petites. Conduct wear testing and drive rigorous and continuous improvements based on both qualitative and measured fit feedback. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience. 8+ years of experience in Women’s Tops and Dresses technical design with strong category specialization. 5+ years of experience in patternmaking. A solid understanding of Petite Fit and grading, as well as expertise in garment construction, denim wash treatments and fabrication. Mastery of 2D Pattern Software, Google Sheets, and Adobe Illustrator. Experience working with factories directly (overseas and domestic) and resolving real‑world production challenges. Demonstrated ability to build fit from the ground up and iterate across multiple styles. Key Skill Sets Impeccable attention to detail required when creating and reviewing technical specifications. Analytical thinking: Ability to diagnose fit and construction issues quickly, propose actionable solutions, and iterate effectively. Clear communication: Skilled in conveying technical feedback clearly to both creative teams and factory partners across time zones. Customer‑centric mindset: Passionate about delivering exceptional product fit and functionality for Petite clients, with empathy for their unique needs. Time & project management: Capable of managing multiple styles, calendars, and deliverables without compromising accuracy or quality. Strong communicator who can thrive in a scrappy startup environment and wear multiple hats. Why You’ll Love Working at Short Story This role offers a rare and exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in an often‑overlooked segment of the fashion industry: Petite women’s apparel. You’ll be at the intersection of design, innovation, and technical precision—building fit from the ground up and owning critical elements of the product lifecycle. You’ll have high visibility and direct influence on the final product, shaping Short Story’s Petite fit identity. With cross‑functional collaboration across Merchandising, Product Development, and global vendors, your work will directly impact production, client satisfaction, and brand loyalty. This role is uniquely focused on Petite fit, allowing you to hone a niche skill set that’s in demand but not commonly mastered. With support to develop tools, drive fit initiatives, and improve processes, this isn’t just a “maintenance” role—it’s a builder’s role shaping systems and standards that last. Compensation & Benefits Actual compensation for this position may vary based on skills, experience, and business needs. Comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, and vision benefits. 401(k) with company match. Flexible PTO policy and paid holidays. Catered lunch on Fridays and company events. Employee discount on merchandise. Opportunity to work at a Y‑Combinator‑backed startup alongside a dedicated and experienced founding team. 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: $85K – $140K #J-18808-Ljbffr Short Story