Smartwool: Knit Technical Designer

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

At Icebreaker and Smartwool, we are two unique brands that embody the same spirit of belonging, adventure, sustainability, and getting out there. We create products made for people who enjoy nature and want to go far and feel good. We do this all while keeping our planet and the impact of our products in mind.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of fun, adventure-loving people, icebreaker and Smartwool may be just the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit www.icebreaker.com or www.smartwool.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Knit Technical Designer at Smartwool looks a little like this.

The knit technical designer will aid in the design of the knit apparel line by digitizing all hand sketches into illustrator and adjust the Senior Knit Designer’s sketches for style changes.  This role will create Design Handoffs for each new style, which includes detailed descriptions of knit construction, yarn/fabrication, and trims and will maintain excellence in accuracy of the design handoffs and communication across multiple platforms when changes are implemented. This role is responsible for the input of color, material and trims into BOMs through our PLM systems for all knit categories. The knit technical designer will be responsible to jump into other facets of design responsibility including, but not limited to, style level color, material colorways, knit pattern design and fit sessions as directed by the senior design team.  This position will work quickly and efficiently to stay on top of calendar deliverables and have the ability to learn new software easily.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Essential Functions
  • Produce detailed tech packs and pattern handoffs, following through the entire development of product from initial creation to final SMS
  • Work with Senior Knit Designer in designing, graphing, and developing ideas for apparel that can be executed to the guidelines and constraints of circular and flatbed knitting
  • Input accurate information for Tech Packs into Enovia system
  • Partner with Development team to work through tech pack creation, revisions, and reviews to ensure design vision has been met
  • Manage all technical handoffs and revisions for jacquard materials as directed by the senior design team
  • Assist Senior Designer in preparing for key meetings and presentations
• Technical Design & Operation
  • Identify problem solve discrepancies with graphs, scale, and digitized patterns from mills across all categories and deliver solutions and direction for improvement to Senior Design team and Global Materials Development Lead
  • Ensure apparel BOM accuracy from concept through production
• Contributing to Team Dynamic
  • Ability to partner with Product Management and Development team counterparts with an openness to feedback and a focus on collaboration to achieve executable results
  • Work closely with the Design, Development, and Merchandising teams as a cross-functional liaison to ensure total accuracy of the line

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 5 years of experience and professional achievements.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Able to translate conceptual design sketches into detailed technical sketches in illustrator
• Able to create layouts and pattern design (illustrator or photoshop)
• Knowledge of garment construction and product development
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator with working knowledge of Photoshop and InDesign
• Excellent written and verbal skills for effective interpersonal communication
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks and workload seamlessly
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with team under critical time frames
• Self-driven with experience working in a fast-paced environment and ability to apply productive work habits to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the company/department
• 3+ years