Hikerkind is hiring : Director of Technical Design in New York

This range is provided by Hikerkind. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$80,000.00 / yr - $110,000.00 / yr

Hikerkind is a women-led outdoor apparel brand rethinking technical gear for the modern hiker. We design timeless, high-performance apparel that blends form and function, made for the trail but styled for everyday wear. We’re a fast-growing startup building a community-driven brand that challenges the outdoor industry’s status quo.

Position Overview

We’re hiring a Technical Designer Director to own the execution and development of our product from initial tech pack through production. This role is responsible for ensuring fit, construction, and performance across all styles, while working closely with factories and internal teams. You will serve as the technical expert in our product creation process, ensuring each garment is built to our standards. You’ll be supported creatively by the founding team but will be expected to confidently lead fit, specs, and the development calendar with minimal oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Product Development

Create and maintain detailed tech packs including specs, BOMs, and construction notes

Lead the fit process : schedule fittings, manage live sessions, write fit comments, and track iterations

Collaborate with factory partners to ensure accurate patterns, measurements, and make

Review samples and resolve any issues related to construction, grading, or functionality

Own size consistency and grading across all styles and categories

Manage and evolve fit blocks and grade rules for consistency across seasons

Work cross-functionally with the founders to ensure design intent is preserved through execution

Analyze wearer trial feedback and apply it to product iteration and improvement

Collaborate with factory CLO teams to review 3D renderings and proactively identify fit or construction issues before sampling

Factory Communication & Product Execution

Serve as the technical liaison with factory partners during development and sampling

Maintain the development calendar and ensure milestones are met on time

Ensure development timelines are realistic and clearly communicated across teams

Partner with Production on SMS, wear testing, and final pre-production approvals

Troubleshoot construction issues and proactively recommend alternative methods or materials

End Results Expected

High-quality, functional garments that meet fit and performance standards

Clear and timely communication with factory partners, leading to a smooth development process

On-time delivery of development milestones and tech packs

Improved fit and consistency across size ranges, technical execution, and product categories

Well-organized, scalable tech library and documentation to support future growth

Qualifications

5+ years experience in technical design or product development; outdoor or performance apparel experience highly preferred

Expertise in garment construction and fit, especially for women’s bodies, as well as a working knowledge of patternmaking

Advanced knowledge of BOMs, PLM tools, and Adobe Illustrator

Familiarity with CLO or 3D garment visualization; ability to interpret and provide feedback on CLO files created by factory partners

Highly organized, deadline-driven, and able to manage multiple styles at once

Experience working with overseas factories on sample development and fit troubleshooting

Proven ability to own and drive a technical design process independently

Meticulous attention to detail, highly organized, and solution-oriented

Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities

Compensation

Salary Range : $80,000 – $110,000, based on experience and expertise. This role is a key part of our product development team, with room to grow as the brand scales. Performance-based bonuses and equity may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

At Hikerkind, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Seniorities / Employment

Seniority level : Director

Employment type : Full-time

Job function : Design

Industries : Retail Apparel and Fashion

We’re committed to transparent hiring practices and welcome inquiries from all qualified candidates.

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