Technical Designer

Technical Designer | Apparel

Compensation: $80,000-$90,000 base salary

Location: New York City, NY (On-Site)

C-Life Group is seeking an experienced Technical Designer to join our New York City team. This role is ideal for someone with strong technical design, garment construction, and fit expertise who enjoys taking ownership of the process from initial development through production.

In this role, you'll partner closely with Design, Product Development, Production, our El Salvador technical team, and global vendors to translate creative concepts into well-fitting, production-ready garments. You'll own the technical development and fit process from initial prototype through top-of-production (TOP), helping ensure consistency in fit, construction, quality, and execution while maintaining the original design intent.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own the fit process from initial prototype through TOP, ensuring revisions are accurately executed at each stage


• Partner with Design and Product Development to evaluate measurements, construction details, fit, and overall product intent


• Schedule and lead fit sessions, evaluating garment balance, proportion, measurements, construction, and overall fit


• Identify fit issues and communicate clear, actionable corrections using cutting, pinning, and draping as needed


• Prepare detailed fit comments, measurement updates, and visual references for vendors


• Review technical packages for accuracy and completeness prior to factory submission


• Identify and resolve pattern, construction, workmanship, and quality issues throughout development and production


• Develop and maintain fit standards, approved blocks, measurement tolerances, and grading guidelines across styles and categories


• Partner directly with vendors on specifications, patterns, grading, trims, fit, and construction


• Track samples, fit comments, revisions, approvals, and outstanding technical issues


• Verify revised samples against previous comments and approval requirements


• Partner with the El Salvador technical team, Design, Product Development, and Production to resolve issues while protecting product intent


• Identify potential production, quality, costing, or calendar concerns early and recommend practical solutions


• Keep sample development and approvals moving according to established calendar milestones

What We're Looking For

• 5-10 years of fashion industry experience in technical design and/or patternmaking


• Strong hands-on knowledge of garment construction, fit, and technical development


• Demonstrated experience managing the fit process from initial development through production


• Strong understanding of garment specifications, pattern corrections, grading, draping, and fitting


• Working knowledge of fabrics, garment testing, and how materials and construction impact fit, quality, and cost


• Ability to translate design concepts into clear technical instructions and production-ready solutions


• Experience communicating directly with factories and vendors on technical requirements and corrections


• Ability to provide precise, actionable fit comments and clearly communicate revisions


• Strong organization and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines


• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach


• Working proficiency with PLM, Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft Excel

Nice to Have

• Patternmaking experience in addition to technical design experience


• Experience developing and maintaining fit blocks, grading standards, and measurement tolerances


• Experience working directly with international factories and vendors


• Experience partnering with offshore technical or production teams


• Broad exposure to multiple apparel categories and product types

Who This Role Is Great For

• Experienced Technical Designers who want to take ownership of the fit process from development through production


• Technical design professionals with a strong understanding of fit, patternmaking, garment construction, and grading


• Hands-on problem-solvers who can identify why a garment isn't working and clearly communicate how to correct it


• Professionals who enjoy partnering across Design, Product Development, Production, and global vendor teams


• Detail-oriented individuals who can manage multiple styles and deadlines without losing sight of fit, quality, or design intent

Why Join C-Life Group?

• Take ownership of the technical development and fit process from prototype through production


• Work closely with Design, Product Development, Production, and global technical teams


• Gain exposure to a variety of products, vendors, and technical challenges


• Play a direct role in improving fit, quality, construction, and production execution


• Join a collaborative apparel organization where strong technical expertise and problem-solving have a visible impact

Additional Job Application Terms

This job is part of LinkedIn’s Full-Service Hiring beta program. Eligibility is limited to candidates located in and performing services in the United States, excluding those based in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, South Carolina, or West Virginia.

We’re committed to making our hiring process as smooth and timely as possible, and we understand that waiting to hear back can add to the anticipation. If you’re a potential fit, our team will reach out within two weeks to progress you to the next stage. If you don’t hear from us in that time, we encourage you to explore other opportunities with our team in the future, and we wish you the very best in your job search.