Associate Technical Designer-Mens & Womens Knits

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

Experience and Education

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.

Benefits :

!!!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 :