Technical Designer

At KUIU, we are committed to crafting the lightest, most advanced mountain hunting clothing and equipment on earth. We live it. We breathe it. And as part of the KUIU product team, we obsess over it.

The Apparel Technical Designer plays a key role in supporting the apparel product team by developing product specifications, ensuring fit and pattern accuracy, conducting product analyses, and maintaining clear communication with vendors and factories. This role is essential in ensuring our products meet customer needs, maintaining high standards of quality, fit, and functionality, and fostering strong relationships with both internal teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the timely commercialization of apparel products from initial development through Top of Production (TOP), ensuring products meet company standards for fit, performance, construction, and aesthetics.
• Documents garment measurements, tolerances, grade rules, construction details, and additional technical requirements using KUIU's defined format for tech pack creation.
• Responsible for measuring, fitting, and evaluating construction on samples through written documentation, visual images, technical sketches, and pattern adjustments as needed to communicate detailed sample corrections.
• Identifies pattern balance, fit, and quality issues, and clearly communicates instructions to resolve each issue by collaborating with technical counterparts at vendor/factory.
• Schedules and leads fit sessions on live models. Participates in fit sessions, recording comments and taking fit photos.
• Maintains grading consistency across styles and fit between product categories.
• Tracks and manages workflow while adhering to development and commercialization trackers, calendars, and processes to ensure on-time development and production.
• Supports product wear testing throughout development.
• Articulates brand standards to all parties, agents, and manufacturers.
• Leverages technical knowledge and leadership support to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and resolve issues that require an innovative approach.
• Updates and maintains Technical Design & QC standard documents such as block libraries, on-body fit standards, fit model castings, etc.
• Works closely and collaborates with the technical design, product development, and design teams to ensure processes are meeting internal documentation standards.
• Drives construction innovation and continuing improvement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience is preferred.
• 5 years of apparel technical design experience is preferred.
• Competent with Microsoft Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Flat Patterning, Optitex 2D, Lectra, or Gerber/Accumark pattern software. PLM experience is a plus.
• Must work well independently, possess keen attention to detail, have excellent follow-through skills, and be pro-active.
• Should be quick, collaborative, and creative.
• Has the ability to handle multiple projects at once and be deadline-oriented.
• Must have strong communication skills (verbal and written) and work well within a team environment.