Technical Designer (Contract) Job at Shortstorybox in San Francisco

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, Fortune and are backed by top investors who share our vision of building the world's next great consumer brand. Our Values: We're building a company with intention and purpose. Our culture thrives on data insights, exceptional commitment to fit, and the urgency to move quickly on what matters. ✨ 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. About Us: 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 exceptional, tailored products. We've been recognized by top publications like Forbes, Fortune and are backed by top institutional investors who share our vision of building the world's next great consumer brand. At Short Story, we celebrate petiteness, boldness, and modern womanhood. Our culture combines an insatiable hunger for data, an unwavering commitment to creating superior products, and a hustle startup mentality. We have a strong sense of urgency. Since 2019, we've cultivated a team of dedicated problem solvers and fashion enthusiasts. We're excited for you to join us on this exhilarating journey. The Role: The Technical Designer plays a critical role in ensuring the best Fit for our Petite clients. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for executing and maintaining the fit and garment construction for all our exclusively developed products, ensuring every style meets our highest standards for fit, quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction. As a key cross-functional partner, you will collaborate closely with Product Development, Merchandising, and global vendors to bring our Petite vision to life. Your sharp technical acumen, problem-solving mindset, and strong communication skills will help bridge creative intent with precise execution, ultimately delivering exceptional fit and function across our assortment. Responsibilities: 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 communicated to all Vendors domestic and offshore. Support team with conducting the weekly fit sessions across multiple product categories. Managing time and actions. Ensuring all protos, fit, and pre-production samples are approved on time to meet delivery deadlines. Support with building out Technical Design Tools and driving key fit initiatives. Collaborate across merchandising, and product development to refine style and fit (especially balancing comfort and proportions for petites). Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or equivalent professional experience 5+ years of experience in Women’s Technical Design. 4+ years of experience in patternmaking. A solid understanding of Petite Fit and grading. As well as, expertise in garment construction, fabric wash treatments and fabrication. Mastery of 2D Pattern Software, GSuite, MS Office, 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 (no block library) 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 won't just be working on garments—you’re shaping the fit, comfort, and confidence of a highly loyal and underserved customer base. You’ll be at the intersection of design, innovation, and technical precision . This is a chance to build fit from the ground up —not just tweak existing standards—giving you real ownership over how the product feels and performs. You’re not just a cog in the wheel—you’ll own critical elements of the product lifecycle, from block development to fit approvals, giving you high visibility and direct influence on the final product. Your decisions will shape Short Story’s Petite fit identity . With cross-functional collaboration across Merchandising, Product Development, and global vendors, you’ll be part of a team that brings vision to life. Plus, 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. If you're passionate about making every woman feel seen and styled with intention, this is your calling. With support to develop tools, drive fit initiatives, and improve processes, this isn’t just a “maintenance” role—it’s a builder’s role . You’ll shape systems and standards that last. So, if you’re a detail-driven, solutions-oriented technical designer who loves the challenge of translating creative vision into perfectly constructed garments—and you want to champion better fit for Petite women you should apply now. Compensation & Benefits: Catered lunch on Fridays and company events Opportunity to work at a Y-Combinator backed startup alongside a dedicated and experienced founding team The estimated hourly rate for this position is $40.00-$55.00 per hour. The actual compensation for this position may vary based on skills, experience, and business needs. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr In Summary: Short Story is an award-winning, technology-powered retailer dedicated to petite women 5'4" and under . The Technical Designer plays a critical role in ensuring the best fit for our Petite clients . Responsibilities: 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 . En Español: Our Story: Short Story es un galardonado minorista basado en tecnología dedicado a las pequeñas mujeres de 5'4" y menos. Nuestra misión es crear una experiencia de compra perfecta para millones de pequeñas personas que puedan vestirse con confianza sin esfuerzo. Como startup de rápido crecimiento, estamos revolucionando la venta al por menor con un sistema de aprendizaje impulsado por datos que aprovecha la retroalimentación del cliente para crear productos personalizados. Hemos sido reconocidos por principales publicaciones como Forbes, Fortune y somos respaldados por los mejores inversores que comparten nuestra visión de construir la próxima gran marca de consumo del mundo. Como una startup de rápido crecimiento, estamos revolucionando el comercio minorista con un sistema de aprendizaje basado en datos que aprovecha la retroalimentación del cliente para crear productos excepcionales y a medida. Hemos sido reconocidos por las principales publicaciones como Forbes, Fortune y somos respaldados por los mejores inversores institucionales que comparten nuestra visión de construir la próxima gran marca de consumo del mundo. En Short Story celebramos pequeñez, audacia y feminidad moderna. Nuestra cultura combina un hambre insacible de datos, un compromiso inquebrantable de crear productos superiores y una mentalidad de inicio agitada. Tenemos un fuerte sentido de urgencia. Desde 2019, hemos cultivado un equipo dedicado de solucionadores de problemas y entusiastas de la moda. Estamos entusiasmados de que se unan a nosotros en esta exhilar Asylor Product Standards. Responsabilidades: Supervisar el desarrollo de patrones de bloques y bibliotecas de especificaciones para lograr un ajuste consistente para sus categorías de productos realizando revisiones estacionales del producto. Desarrollar y mantener Tech Packs a lo largo del proceso de creación de productos. Asegurar que los comentarios detallados se comunican a todos los vendedores nacionales y extranjeros. Equipo de apoyo con la realización de las sesiones semanales de ajuste en varias categorías del producto . Gestión de tiempo y acciones. Asigurarse de que todos los prototipos, ajustes y muestras de preproducción sean aprobados a tiempo para cumplir con los plazos de entrega. Apoyo con la construcción de herramientas de diseño técnico e impulsar iniciativas clave de ajustación. Colaborar a través de merchandising, y el desarrollo del producto para refinar estilo y ajuste (especialmente equilibrio de comodidad y proporciones para pequeñas). Cualificaciones: Licenciatura en campo relevante o experiencia profesional equivalente 5 años en Diseño Técnico Women's. 4+ años de experiencia sólida en comprensión de calificación Petite Fit y fabricación de vestuario, así como lavado y fabricantes de vestidos, etc. Maestría en software de patrones 2D, GSuite, MS Office, Adobe Illustrator Experiencia trabajando con fábricas directamente (tranjeros y nacionales) y resolviendo desafíos de producción del mundo real Capacidad demostrada para construir ajuste desde cero (sin biblioteca de bloqueo) e iterar a través de múltiples estilos Conjuntos de habilidades clave: Atención impecable al detalle requerida cuando se crean y revisan las especificaciones técnicas Pensamiento analítico : Habilidad para diagnosticar problemas de ajuste y construcción rápidamente, soluciones actuables y proponer iteraciones eficaces. Comunicación clara: Competente en transmitir retroalimentación técnica claramente tanto a los equipos creativos como a la fábrica en todas las zonas horarias. Mentalidad centrada en el cliente: Pasión por crear un producto excepcional Aplicación y diversión para clientes pequeños, con empatía para sus necesidades. Esta es una oportunidad de construir fit desde cero, no sólo ajustar los estándares existentes que te dan la verdadera propiedad sobre cómo se siente y funciona el producto. Además, tu trabajo tendrá un impacto directo en la producción, la satisfacción del cliente y la fidelidad a la marca. Este papel se centra exclusivamente en Petite Fit , lo que le permite perfeccionar un conjunto de habilidades nichos que son demandadas pero no comúnmente dominados. Así que si eres apasionada por las mujeres y deseas mantener este estilo con esta intención, llamando a cada diseñador a desarrollar soluciones técnicas para mejorar su diseño. Compensación y Beneficios: Almuerzo al día los viernes y eventos de la compañía Oportunidad para trabajar en una startup respaldada por Y-Combinator junto con un equipo fundador dedicado y experimentado La tasa hora estimada para este puesto es de $40.00-$55.00 por hora. La compensación real para esta posición puede variar según las habilidades, experiencia y necesidades empresariales. Short Story se compromete a proporcionar oportunidades de empleo iguales y un entorno laboral libre de discriminación y acoso para todos los empleados y solicitantes. Trabajamos diligentemente para garantizar igualdad de oportunidades para todo solicitante y empleado sin importar raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, discapacidad, edad, estatus de veterano u otras características legalmente protegidas. #J-18808-Ljbffr