About the role
Technical Design Manager
Location: Orange County, CA | On-site
We are partnering with a growing Southern California lifestyle brand to identify a Technical Design Manager to lead technical execution across swim, active, and lifestyle apparel.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for driving fit, construction, quality, and technical consistency from tech pack handoff through production. The Technical Design Manager will work closely with Design, Product Development, Production, domestic patternmakers, and international vendors while also managing and mentoring the Technical Design team.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead technical development across swim, active, and lifestyle categories from prototype through production.
- Manage prototype development and ensure samples, fittings, comments, and approvals stay aligned with seasonal calendars.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive tech packs, including technical sketches, POMs, grade rules, tolerances, construction details, and callouts.
- Measure and evaluate prototype, SMS, PP, and TOP samples for fit, workmanship, construction, fabrication, and overall execution.
- Lead fit sessions across multiple product categories and drive fit and construction corrections.
- Ensure consistency in fit, grading, and construction across the assortment.
- Communicate detailed fit comments and technical direction to domestic and international vendors.
- Partner closely with Design, Product Development, and Production to resolve fit, construction, and quality challenges.
- Establish and maintain block libraries and standardized grade rules.
- Work closely with domestic patternmakers to create, update, and grade patterns.
- Build and improve technical processes that increase consistency, efficiency, and product quality.
- Manage and mentor the Technical Design team, including seasonal priorities, workflow, and deliverables.
- Develop the team's technical expertise around construction and brand fit standards.
- Maintain accurate tech packs, development trackers, fit comments, and sample status.
- Build strong relationships with vendors, pattern engineers, and cross-functional partners.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of Technical Design experience.
- 5+ years of people management experience.
- Strong experience across swim, active, knits, wovens, sweaters, dresses, and/or coverups.
- Experience with kids' fit.
- Expert knowledge of garment construction, grading, fit, and measurement standards.
- Strong understanding of fabric behavior, draping, graphics, dye techniques, and multiple fabrication types.
- Ability to independently lead fit sessions across multiple product categories.
- Strong technical communication skills, including pattern diagrams, technical sketches, fit photos, and construction comments.
- Experience working directly with domestic and international patternmakers, factories, and pattern engineers.
- Comprehensive understanding of the apparel product lifecycle from development through production.
- Patternmaking experience is a plus.
- Experience with international production required; domestic production experience is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.