Senior Technical Designer

Job Title: Senior Technical Designer

Organization Structure: Reports To Technical Design Manager

FLSA status : Salaried, Exempt Full Time

Department: PBS (Private Label & Brand Services)

Location: In-office at the Zumiez Home Office, Lynnwood, WA

Position Summary

The Senior Technical Designer manages the technical development of assigned apparel categories from initial prototypes through final production approval. This role requires strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a high level of technical expertise and leadership skills. As a specialist with a keen understanding of product development and production processes, they offer solutions toward maintaining design intent while assuring the best fit and construction for the functionality of the product. This role involves leading fit sessions, identifying potential production, quality, or costing challenges, engaging with all team partners and external vendors to ensure Zumiezs brand standards are met. Additionally, the Senior Technical Designer mentors junior team members, providing constructive feedback to leverage technical knowledge and experience in product execution. This position plays a critical role toward streamlining processes and creating efficiencies that align with Zumiezs business goals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Product Development Oversight:
• Manage the technical design process from initial prototype through production for assigned categories, ensuring quality, fit and brand consistency.
• Oversee all sample stages (prototype, fit, pre-production, and top of production), ensuring adherence to specifications and brand guidelines.
• Update and maintain tech packs, incorporating accurate construction details, pattern modifications, and grading adjustments.
• Fit and Construction Management:
• Lead fit sessions on live models or mannequins, assessing fit, balance, and construction for functionality and design integrity.
• Analyze samples to identify fit and quality issues, providing corrective recommendations with detailed comments, sketches, and photos.
• Ensure vendor adherence to fit corrections and issue updated grading guidelines upon fit approval.
• Pattern and Block Development:
• Evaluate and refine existing patterns, fit blocks, and grade rules to streamline processes and improve consistency across factories and brands.
• Develop and maintain block specs and pattern libraries, ensuring all categories align with Zumiezs fit standards.
• Utilize CLO3D software for pattern development and digital fitting to build efficiencies and reduce physical samples.
• Collaboration and Communication:
• Partner closely with Design, Product Development, and Production teams to ensure alignment on fit, quality, and timeline objectives.
• Communicate fit comments, corrections, and technical recommendations clearly to overseas vendors, providing timely feedback to maintain workflow.
• Work with vendors to resolve production challenges, ensuring that technical requirements are met and that any deviations are promptly addressed.
• Mentorship and Leadership:
• Provide guidance and technical support to junior team members, assisting with fit analysis, pattern adjustments, and construction techniques.
• Collaborate with the Technical Design Manager to refine processes, improve efficiencies, and elevate the overall quality of the product.
• Lead by example, maintaining professionalism and upholding Zumiezs values of collaboration, empowerment, and personal development.
• Mentors TD team associates and assistants in one or more specialty categories. Prepares and delivers written and oral reviews of those mentored against given job criteria.
• Leverages technical knowledge and experience to support a strong team atmosphere and product execution consistent with Zumiez brand standards.
• Sample Tracking and Quality Control:
• Maintain sample tracking logs to monitor product progression from initial prototype through top of production (TOP) approvals.
• Review pre-production (PP) and TOP samples to confirm adherence to approved fit, construction, and quality standards before bulk production.
• Collaborate with the Production team to identify and resolve issues related to sample approval timelines.
• Process Improvement and Innovation:
• Benchmark fit and quality standards against leading fashion brands to ensure Zumiez remains competitive in the market.
• Investigate opportunities for process improvements allowing for adaptation to evolving business needs.
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to advance technical design processes.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Skills:
• Demonstrated proficiency in CLO3D, Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong knowledge of fit evaluation on live model and dressform, pattern development and grading, construction techniques, and fabric behavior.
• Ability to develop and modify patterns for development and production using flat pattern techniques, 3D pattern software and other digital tools.

• Soft Skills:
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with coworkers, and outside vendor contacts; able to collaborate across teams and cultures.
• Must be a self-starter, able to multi-task and work independently
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time-management abilities; able to manage multiple priorties concurrently.
• Ability to mentor, lead, and inspire team members while fostering a collaborative environment.

Experience and Education

• Minimum 10 years of technical design experience with expertise in multiple categories (Mens/Womens Knits, Wovens, Jackets, and Technical Outerwear).
• Proven track record in fit evaluation, pattern development, and garment construction.
• Experience in leading fit sessions and resolving complex fit and construction challenges.
• Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Patternmaking, Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field with coursework in textiles, patternmaking, and apparel design.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to keyboard, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifteen pounds.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an office environment. The noise level is generally moderate.

Benefits:

• Salary Range: $85,000 -$90,000/Annual
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance, following an initial wait period
• 401(k) plan after meeting eligibility requirements
• Basic life insurance and supplemental voluntary life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Sick Leave, following an initial wait period
• Paid Vacation, following an initial wait period
• Employee Assistance Program
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Discount on Zumiez product
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after meeting eligibility requirements
• Bonus Eligible

Created April 18, 2025

Job Title: Senior Technical Designer

Organization Structure: Reports To Technical Design Manager

FLSA status : Salaried, Exempt Full Time

Department: PBS (Private Label & Brand Services)

Location: In-office at the Zumiez Home Office, Lynnwood, WA

Position Summary

The Senior Technical Designer manages the technical development of assigned apparel categories from initial prototypes through final production approval. This role requires strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a high level of technical expertise and leadership skills. As a specialist with a keen understanding of product development and production processes, they offer solutions toward maintaining design intent while assuring the best fit and construction for the functionality of the product. This role involves leading fit sessions, identifying potential production, quality, or costing challenges, engaging with all team partners and external vendors to ensure Zumiezs brand standards are met. Additionally, the Senior Technical Designer mentors junior team members, providing constructive feedback to leverage technical knowledge and experience in product execution. This position plays a critical role toward streamlining processes and creating efficiencies that align with Zumiezs business goals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Product Development Oversight:
• Manage the technical design process from initial prototype through production for assigned categories, ensuring quality, fit and brand consistency.
• Oversee all sample stages (prototype, fit, pre-production, and top of production), ensuring adherence to specifications and brand guidelines.
• Update and maintain tech packs, incorporating accurate construction details, pattern modifications, and grading adjustments.
• Fit and Construction Management:
• Lead fit sessions on live models or mannequins, assessing fit, balance, and construction for functionality and design integrity.
• Analyze samples to identify fit and quality issues, providing corrective recommendations with detailed comments, sketches, and photos.
• Ensure vendor adherence to fit corrections and issue updated grading guidelines upon fit approval.
• Pattern and Block Development:
• Evaluate and refine existing patterns, fit blocks, and grade rules to streamline processes and improve consistency across factories and brands.
• Develop and maintain block specs and pattern libraries, ensuring all categories align with Zumiezs fit standards.
• Utilize CLO3D software for pattern development and digital fitting to build efficiencies and reduce physical samples.
• Collaboration and Communication:
• Partner closely with Design, Product Development, and Production teams to ensure alignment on fit, quality, and timeline objectives.
• Communicate fit comments, corrections, and technical recommendations clearly to overseas vendors, providing timely feedback to maintain workflow.
• Work with vendors to resolve production challenges, ensuring that technical requirements are met and that any deviations are promptly addressed.
• Mentorship and Leadership:
• Provide guidance and technical support to junior team members, assisting with fit analysis, pattern adjustments, and construction techniques.
• Collaborate with the Technical Design Manager to refine processes, improve efficiencies, and elevate the overall quality of the product.
• Lead by example, maintaining professionalism and upholding Zumiezs values of collaboration, empowerment, and personal development.
• Mentors TD team associates and assistants in one or more specialty categories. Prepares and delivers written and oral reviews of those mentored against given job criteria.
• Leverages technical knowledge and experience to support a strong team atmosphere and product execution consistent with Zumiez brand standards.
• Sample Tracking and Quality Control:
• Maintain sample tracking logs to monitor product progression from initial prototype through top of production (TOP) approvals.
• Review pre-production (PP) and TOP samples to confirm adherence to approved fit, construction, and quality standards before bulk production.
• Collaborate with the Production team to identify and resolve issues related to sample approval timelines.
• Process Improvement and Innovation:
• Benchmark fit and quality standards against leading fashion brands to ensure Zumiez remains competitive in the market.
• Investigate opportunities for process improvements allowing for adaptation to evolving business needs.
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to advance technical design processes.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Skills:
• Demonstrated proficiency in CLO3D, Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong knowledge of fit evaluation on live model and dressform, pattern development and grading, construction techniques, and fabric behavior.
• Ability to develop and modify patterns for development and production using flat pattern techniques, 3D pattern software and other digital tools.

• Soft Skills:
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with coworkers, and outside vendor contacts; able to collaborate across teams and cultures.
• Must be a self-starter, able to multi-task and work independently
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time-management abilities; able to manage multiple priorties concurrently.
• Ability to mentor, lead, and inspire team members while fostering a collaborative environment.

Experience and Education

• Minimum 10 years of technical design experience with expertise in multiple categories (Mens/Womens Knits, Wovens, Jackets, and Technical Outerwear).
• Proven track record in fit evaluation, pattern development, and garment construction.
• Experience in leading fit sessions and resolving complex fit and construction challenges.
• Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Patternmaking, Fashion Design, Product Development, or a related field with coursework in textiles, patternmaking, and apparel design.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to keyboard, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifteen pounds.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an office environment. The noise level is generally moderate.

Benefits:

• Salary Range: $85,000 -$90,000/Annual
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance, following an initial wait period
• 401(k) plan after meeting eligibility requirements
• Basic life insurance and supplemental voluntary life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Sick Leave, following an initial wait period
• Paid Vacation, following an initial wait period
• Employee Assistance Program
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Discount on Zumiez product
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after meeting eligibility requirements
• Bonus Eligible

Created April 18, 2025