Associate Technical Designer-Mens & Womens Knits Job at Zumiez in Washington DC

Come work with the Amazing Apparel Technical Design Team! at the ZUMIEZ Home Office in Lynnwood, Washington

Job Title: Associate Technical Designer

Organization Structure: Reports To Technical Design Manager

FLSA status : Hourly, Non-Exempt – Full Time

Department: PBS (Private Label & Brand Services)

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

Position Summary

The Associate Technical Designer is responsible for 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 an advancing level of technical expertise and leadership skills. This person brings an understanding of product development and production processes, with the confidence to offer solutions to their design partner for maintaining design intent while assuring the best fit and construction for the functionality of the product. The Associate TD leads fit sessions for assigned categories, identifying potential production, quality, or costing challenges, engaging with all team partners and external vendors to ensure Zumiez’s brand standards are met. The Associate TD is also responsible for the organization and management of assigned projects (non-fit submit category or construction based) critical to the day-to-day organization and operations of the team.

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.
• Independently conducts fit evaluation on live model and dressform.
• Pattern and Block Development:
• Evaluate and refine existing patterns, implementing fit blocks to create consistency across factories and brands.
• Develop and maintain block specs and pattern libraries, ensuring all categories align with Zumiez’s fit standards.
• Willing to be trained in utilizing CLO3D software for pattern development and digital fitting to build efficiencies and reduce physical samples. Prior knowledge in CLO3d or other 3D Patternmaking software is a plus.
• Collaboration and Communication:
• Partner closely with Design, Product Development, and Production teams to ensure alignment on fit, quality, and timeline objectives.
• Clearly and concisely communicates fit comments, corrections, and technical recommendations 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.
• Leadership:
• Knowledge of fit analysis, pattern adjustments, and construction techniques at Associate level. Shares knowledge with Assistant team members and Interns (when required)
• Partners and collaborates with more senior Technical Design members to discover or implement processes that refine and improve efficiencies and elevate the overall quality of the product.
• Maintains professionalism and upholds Zumiez’s cultural values of collaboration, empowerment, and personal development.
• Demonstrates passion to advance technical knowledge and ownership of assigned projects to support a strong team atmosphere and product execution consistent with Zumiez brand standards.
• Sample Tracking and Quality Control:
• Maintains 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:
• Benchmarks fit and quality standards against leading fashion brands to ensure Zumiez remains competitive in the market.
• Investigates opportunities for process improvements allowing for adaptation to evolving business needs.
• Stays informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to advance technical design processes.

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Skills:
• Willing to grow and advance proficiencies in CLO3D and Adobe Illustrator
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office 365, Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of pattern development; Knowledge of fabric behavior consistent to the Associate level.
• Ability to modify patterns, of easy to moderate complexity, for development and production using flat pattern techniques
• Demonstrates consistent accuracy and attention to detail in all deliverables
• 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 priorities concurrently.
• Experience working with overseas vendors, where ESL needs are considered.
• Demonstrates passion and commitment for the work assigned.
• Thrives working in a collaborative environment.

Experience and Education

• Minimum 3-5 years of technical design experience in the categories of Mens and Womens Knits. Some experience in Mens or Womens Woven Upper Body garments is a plus.
• Demonstrated proficiency in pattern development, with working knowledge of spec development, assignment to points of measurement, and garment construction at a factory level.
• Experienced in leading fit sessions with proven ability to resolve 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:

• Hourly Range: $26.50-$28.85
• 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

!!!WILLING TO TRAIN IN CLO3D PATTERNMAKING SOFTWARE!!!

Must have Prior Apparel Patternmaking Experience in Flat-Pattern Drafting.

Apply through LinkedIn or at the following link: