Senior Technical Designer

Position Overview

The Senior Technical Designer plays a critical role in ensuring fit excellence and product integrity across intimate apparel categories, including underwire bras, bralettes, panties, and sleepwear. This position leads the fit process from concept through production, creating accurate technical specifications, evaluating fit samples, and ensuring all garments meet the brand's standards for quality, performance, and consistency. The role involves close collaboration with internal teams (Design, Product Development, Sourcing), our Hong Kong office (HKO), and external partners (factories, vendors). A deep understanding of garment construction, fit engineering, and production processes specific to intimate apparel is essential.

Schedule

Monday-Thursday (in-office) / Friday (WFH)

Key Responsibilities

Technical Specifications & Development

• Develop technical specification packages, including Points of Measure, How to Measure illustrations (using Adobe Illustrator), sewing instructions, and cutting instructions.
• Contribute to the strategy and refinement of sewing and measuring methods to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Create and maintain pattern files, including approved final garments, fit and grade samples, BOMs, and specifications.
• Prepare final production packages and QC packages on a weekly basis.
• Review and revise tech packs to ensure specifications, measurement standards, and construction/sewing details are accurate.

Fit Process & Evaluation

• Lead factory fit sessions and oversee the factory fit approval process across multiple intimate apparel categories.
• Evaluate factory-submitted garments including fit, pre-production, production, and in-line samples.
• Complete fit comment reports and communicate feedback to factories and Hong Kong office (HKO) associates.
• Provide precise fit comments, including construction methods, sewing operations, and pad placement.
• Prioritize model needs and comment completion based on urgency and development timelines.
• Attend fit sessions, take on-body measurements, capture photos, and document fit details as needed.
• Apply knowledge of fit standards and block patterns in assessing garment construction and consistency.
• Collaborate with the Director of Technical Design to ensure pattern corrections and sample execution are completed accurately and on schedule.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Communication

• Respond to inquiries from internal partners, HKO team, and factories regarding fit comments, specifications, and technical updates.
• Communicate changes or updates to specs and sewing methods clearly and in a timely manner.
• Work closely with Design and Product Development to maintain design intent while achieving fit, function, and manufacturability.
• Partner with Sourcing and Production teams to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues throughout development and production stages.
• Maintain proactive communication with external vendors to ensure alignment on fit standards and technical execution.
• Support wear test projects as needed, including measuring samples and distributing them to participants.

Skills and Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 7+ years of experience in technical design in intimate apparel.
• Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed "How to Measure" illustrations and technical sketches.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for data management, is required.
• Previous experience supporting wholesale accounts preferred. 

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, which includes:

• Excellent medical, dental & vision coverage
• 401(k) with a Company match
• Paid vacation and holidays (and your birthday off too!)
• Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account
• Disability insurance
• Maternity and parental leave
• Group life insurance

Ariela & Associates is an EEO employer. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual's age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy) or sexual orientation, gender expression, military status, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability or membership in any other protected class under applicable law.