Senior Swim Technical Designer

Job description

# Senior Swimwear Technical Designer — Confidential Search **Location:** Orange County, CA | On-site We are partnering with a growing Southern California lifestyle brand to identify a **Senior Swimwear Technical Designer** to lead the technical development of its swimwear collections from concept through production. This is a highly technical, hands-on role for someone with deep expertise in **swimwear fit, construction, pattern evaluation, grading, and stretch fabrications**. The Senior Technical Designer will partner closely with Design, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, and overseas vendors to translate creative concepts into production-ready garments while maintaining exceptional standards for fit, quality, construction, and performance. ### Key Responsibilities - Lead technical development of swimwear from prototype through production. - Create and maintain comprehensive tech packs, including technical sketches, POMs, grading, tolerances, construction details, and callouts. - Lead live-model fit sessions and drive fit corrections and technical decision-making. - Measure and evaluate prototype, fit, PP, and TOP samples for fit, construction, workmanship, and execution. - Communicate detailed fit comments and construction revisions to domestic and international vendors. - Partner closely with Design to preserve creative intent while optimizing fit, comfort, support, functionality, and manufacturability. - Collaborate with Product Development, Production, and Sourcing to resolve technical and quality issues throughout development. - Maintain consistency in fit, grading, construction, and technical standards across the swimwear assortment. - Recommend construction improvements that enhance quality, durability, functionality, and cost efficiency. - Build strong relationships with overseas factories, pattern engineers, and cross-functional partners. - Maintain accurate development trackers, technical documentation, and sample status updates. - Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior team members. - Participate in calls with international vendors outside traditional office hours as needed. ### Qualifications - **9+ years of technical design experience**, with significant expertise in swimwear. - Deep knowledge of swimwear fit, construction, patternmaking, and grading. - Expert understanding of stretch fabrications, linings, elastics, bonding, and specialty swimwear construction. - Proven experience leading fit sessions and making technical decisions that balance aesthetics, fit, functionality, and manufacturability. - Strong knowledge of garment grading, measurement standards, and pattern engineering. - Experience working directly with domestic and international factories and pattern makers. - Strong technical communication skills, including fit photos, technical sketches, pattern diagrams, and detailed fit comments. - Thorough understanding of the apparel product development lifecycle from concept through production. - Highly organized and comfortable managing multiple development timelines in a fast-paced environment. - Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. - StyleCAD or similar pattern software experience is a plus. - Experience across knits and/or performance apparel in addition to swimwear is highly desirable. - Collaborative, solutions-oriented team player with exceptional attention to detail.