- Professional
- Office in Lynnwood
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:
o Manage the technical design process from initial prototype through production for
assigned categories, ensuring quality, fit and brand consistency.
o Oversee all sample stages (prototype, fit, pre-production, and top of production),
ensuring adherence to specifications and brand guidelines.
o Update and maintain tech packs, incorporating accurate construction details,
pattern modifications, and grading adjustments.
• Fit and Construction Management:
o Lead fit sessions on live models or mannequins, assessing fit, balance, and
construction for functionality and design integrity.
o Analyze samples to identify fit and quality issues, providing corrective
recommendations with detailed comments, sketches, and photos.o Ensure vendor adherence to fit corrections and issue updated grading guidelines
upon fit approval.
o Independently conducts fit evaluation on live model and dressform.
• Pattern and Block Development:
o Evaluate and refine existing patterns, fit blocks, and grade rules to streamline
processes and improve consistency across factories and brands.
o Develop and maintain block specs and pattern libraries, ensuring all categories
align with Zumiez’s fit standards.
o Utilize CLO3D software for pattern development and digital fitting to build
efficiencies and reduce physical samples.
• Collaboration and Communication:
o Partner closely with Design, Product Development, and Production teams to
ensure alignment on fit, quality, and timeline objectives.
o Clearly and concisely communicates fit comments, corrections, and technical
recommendations to overseas vendors, providing timely feedback to maintain
workflow.
o Work with vendors to resolve production challenges, ensuring that technical
requirements are met and that any deviations are promptly addressed.
• Leadership:
o Advancing in knowledge of fit analysis, pattern adjustments, and construction
techniques, sharing knowledge with Assistant team members and Interns (when
available)
o Partners and collaborates with other Technical Design members to discover or
implement processes that refine and improve efficiencies and elevate the overall
quality of the product.
o Maintains professionalism and upholds Zumiez’s values of collaboration,
empowerment, and personal development.
o Demonstrates advancing 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:
o Maintains sample tracking logs to monitor product progression from initial
prototype through top of production (TOP) approvals.
o Review pre-production (PP) and TOP samples to confirm adherence to approved
fit, construction, and quality standards before bulk production.
o Collaborate with the Production team to identify and resolve issues related to
sample approval timelines.
• Process Improvement and Innovation:
o Benchmarks fit and quality standards against leading fashion brands to ensure
Zumiez remains competitive in the market.
o Investigates opportunities for process improvements allowing for adaptation to
evolving business needs.
o Stays informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to
advance technical design processes.
Skills and Abilities• Technical Skills:
o Willing to grow and advance proficiencies in CLO3D and Adobe Illustrator
o Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office 365, Word and Excel.
o Working knowledge of pattern development and grading, construction techniques,
and fabric behavior consistent to the Associate level.
o Ability to modify patterns, of easy to moderate complexity, for development and
production using flat pattern techniques, 3D pattern software and other digital
tools.
o Demonstrates consistent accuracy and attention to detail in all deliverables
• Soft Skills:
o Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with
coworkers, and outside vendor contacts; able to collaborate across teams and
cultures.
o Must be a self-starter, able to multi-task and work independently
o Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
o Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time-management abilities; able to
manage multiple priorities concurrently.
o Experience working with overseas vendors, where ESL needs are considered.
o Demonstrates passion and commitment for the work assigned.
o Ability to thrive and grow in a collaborative environment.
Experience and Education
o Minimum 3-5 years of technical design experience with expertise in categories
Mens and Womens Knits. Some experience in Mens or Womens Woven Upper
Body garments is a plus.
o Demonstrated proficiency in pattern development, with working knowledge of
spec development, assignment to points of measurement, and garment
construction at a factory level.
o Comfortable leading fit sessions with proven ability to resolve fit and construction
challenges.
o Associates or bachelor's degree in Patternmaking, Fashion Design, Product
Development, or a related field with coursework in textiles, patternmaking, and
apparel design.
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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands
to keyboard, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Prolongedperiods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee must occasionally
lift and/or move up to fifteen pounds.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an
office environment. The noise level is generally moderate.
Benefits:
• Hourly Range: $26.50-$28.85
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance, following an initial wait period
• 401(k) plan after meeting eligibility requirements
• Basic life insurance and supplemental voluntary life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Sick Leave, following an initial wait period
• Paid Vacation, following an initial wait period
• Employee Assistance Program
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Discount on Zumiez product
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) after meeting eligibility requirements
• Bonus Eligible
Updated Aug 15, 2025
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