Role Overview
The Senior Technical Designer is responsible for owning fit, construction, and execution across Tank Air’s cut & sew categories — from initial proto through SMS and production handoff. This role translates design intent into technically sound, production-ready garments that uphold Tank Air’s reputation for quality and fit. Working closely with Design, Development & Production, and our factory partners, the Senior Technical Designer ensures consistency, quality, and efficiency across all styles. On site at our office in Los Angeles. Reports to the Director of Development & Production (and works closely with the founders).
Key Responsibilities
Product Engineering & Fit
- Own technical development across cut & sew knits and wovens (tops, dresses, skirts, bottoms, loungewear, and outerwear).
- Lead fittings from proto through TOP, providing clear, actionable fit comments that balance design intent, comfort, and commercial viability.
- Develop and maintain base size standards, grade rules, and blocks for core categories, ensuring consistent fit across seasons.
- Solve construction challenges with an eye toward both aesthetic detail and production feasibility.
- Partner with patternmakers (internal and external) to refine patterns, improve balance, and resolve recurring fit issues.
Technical Design & Documentation
Create, update, and maintain complete, accurate tech packs (measurements, construction details, stitch specs, BOMs, labels, and packaging).Develop detailed construction pages and callouts for new finishes, hardware, and trims.Own and update measurement specs at each stage (proto, fit, PPS, TOP) and track revisions.Ensure all technical documentation is clear and factory-friendly to reduce sampling rounds and minimize errors.Support the transition to or optimization of PLM / digital workflows as the business scales.Sample Development & Quality
Manage the technical side of sample development : proto, fit, SMS, PPS, and TOP.Measure and review all incoming samples, flagging variances, and driving alignment with spec.Identify recurring production or fit issues and propose preventative solutions (construction changes, tolerances, QA checkpoints).Partner with factories, patternmakers, and internal team members to troubleshoot complex garments or materials (delicate wovens, bias cuts, rib knits, etc.).Support development and production teams with technical input on fabric and trim selection as it relates to drape, stretch, recovery, and performance.Qualifications
7–10+ years of technical design experience in contemporary or luxury women’s apparel, ideally across both knits and wovens.Deep understanding of garment construction, patternmaking fundamentals, grading, and fit for women’s apparel with past experience in denim, wovens, knits, and outerwear.Proven experience managing fittings and communicating with factories from proto through production.Strong knowledge of fabric behavior (stretch, drape, shrinkage, recovery) and how it impacts fit and construction.Comfortable working with domestic and overseas vendors; experience in LA production is a plus.Highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator, tech pack creation, and spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets); experience with PLM or 3D tools (e.g., CLO) is a plus.Extremely detail-oriented, organized, and proactive, with the ability to juggle multiple styles and seasons in a fast-paced, creative environment.Strong communicator with a collaborative mindset and an aesthetic sensitivity aligned with Tank Air’s brand DNA.