Assistant Technical Designer at Zumiez

Job Title: Assistant 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 main role and responsibility of the Assistant Technical Designer is for assisting and supporting members of the Technical Design team, in the product development and technical design processes, inclusive of all apparel product categories.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Process Assistance to the TD Team:
• Receives/sorts/delivers all incoming packages to team members. 
• Responsible for the weekly filing of team submits to assigned racks, including timely Organization, Archival management and Maintenance of the Submit Storage closet.
• Tracks/gathers/organizes/delivers samples sent by vendors and required by the Technical Design team, the Buying team, the Web & Catalog team, Blue Tomato or other assigned categories/partners, inclusive of prepping sample shipping to overseas factories & vendors (as needed).
• Collects/organizes the rolling rack with any submits requested by the Design or Buy team for upcoming meetings. 
• Responsible for calendaring Proto and Weekly fit sessions/communicating with fit models/model agencies on date-time revisions/and sending out day-off fit session order to all required stakeholders. 

• Sample Process Assistance:
• Measures Proto to TOP samples for all product categories; documents all measurements and styling /construction differences as reviewed in Tech Pack, specification sheets and Bill of Materials
• Assists in maintaining sample tracking charts including the logging of submits sent by vendors, date received, comments sent dates.
• Attends live model fit sessions (as space and workload allows); assisting team by taking notes or camera shots when requested

• Learning Opportunities:
• Executes on learning opportunities given to allow for understanding of Zumiez procedures and processes required to manage product development through each aspect of fit & production.
• Partners with the more senior members of the technical design team to update created tech packs, clarify details specific to the style, develop detail pages (as needed)
• Reviews Proto and Pre-production submits against identified block fit standards for silhouette variances.  Assesses measurements outside of Critical POM’s for more advanced understanding of silhouette consistency
• Reviews Pre-Production and TOP Submits against QA tracking chart to confirm required tests have been submitted. Confirms Care and Content labeling is consistent to Compliance callouts
• Reviews TOP samples to confirm adherence to approved fit, construction, and quality standards before bulk production.
• Under more senior TDs’ supervision, creates written TOP submit comments for sending to vendor partners.

• Mentored Learning Opportunities:
• Learning opportunities will be given to advance skills in the review/assessment of fit against vendor patterns.
• Initial assignments will include the management of block-driven fits allowing for learning and developing confidence in applying best practices and processes for

1. communicating fit comments, corrections, and technical recommendations
2. reviewing Bill of Materials for submit accuracy
3. reviewing sample tracking internally and as provided by vendors
4. attending fit session allowing for assessment and maintenance of the consistency of fit
5. developing spec sheets from Facepage or Original samples
6. creating detail pages or editing designer developed Tech Pack information to assure that the quality and construction of the products meet Zumiez standards.

• May provide support outside of Technical Design team (i.e. Design Team, Compliance Team, et al) by accepting duties and projects as required by business need

Skills and Abilities

• Technical Skills:
• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft 365 (including Excel and Word).
• Basic knowledge of specs, point of measurements, basic patternmaking skills and garment construction
• Basic knowledge of basic fabric characteristics, and ability to distinguish between knit structure and weave types.
• Basic understanding of dye & finishing processes and how they might affect fit, drape and specs.

• Soft Skills:
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with coworkers, and outside vendor contacts; able to collaborate across teams and cultures.
• Ability to take initiative. Able to work independently (when required)
• Highly organized and demonstrates attention to detail.
• Proven time-management abilities; able to identify and manage multiple priorities concurrently.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Experience working and/or communicating with non-English speaking or off-shore factories, vendors, and/or clients is a plus but not mandatory

Experience and Education

• 0-3 years of experience in Technical Design related to assigned gender and category
• Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Apparel Technical Design and Patternmaking, Fashion (Apparel) Design, Product Development, or a related field

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.  Prolonged periods 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:  $22.75 to $23.55 per hour
• 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

Created September 5, 2025