Technical Designer - Savannah

As a technical designer, you will provide expert support to students in fabric preparation, pattern layout and marking, garment assembly, and pressing, while demonstrating industrial and hand sewing techniques and fine finishing. You will offer extra help sessions and at least tw ...

Job description

As a technical designer, you will provide expert support to students in fabric preparation, pattern layout and marking, garment assembly, and pressing, while demonstrating industrial and hand sewing techniques and fine finishing. You will offer extra help sessions and at least twenty SCADextraTech workshops each quarter, including weekends and in-between quarters. Responsibilities include the creation of a supplementary materials database for online student access and the maintenance of a professional environment in specialized fashion studio areas to ensure project excellence. Among other duties, you will ensure consistency in the fit aesthetic based on each student's design intent, measure samples, compare construction, and assess the overall completion of the student garments. Additionally, you will effectively communicate with students on all intended fit corrections and technical information.

In this role, you will assist in the development, maintenance, and use of blocks and patterns to ensure standards are met, support the best fit, and help students expedite their production process. Similarly, you will update and maintain the pattern blocks and muslins library and develop new patterns and muslins. You will collaborate and establish professional working relationships with fashion students, professors, and the department chair, and assist the department in conducting fits on live models to ensure garments fit and apply necessary adjustments. Among other duties, you will recommend materials and relevant finishing techniques to students to ensure garment specifications are feasible, analyze designs, and assist fashion students in determining the required techniques and resources to meet their project deadlines. You will also assist fashion students in making design changes and contingency plans as necessary.

In this position, you will instruct students on the use of industrial sewing machines, sergers/overlockers, and fusing machines. Additionally, you will lead training on Juki industrial sewing equipment, specialty machines, and fabric manipulation techniques. You will work with digital fabric printers, including uploading images using RIP Master software, printing, steaming, profiling, and performing printer maintenance. You will also operate fabric printers and a digital embroidery machine. Responsibilities include the evaluation of sample prototypes and finished products to ensure that they are free from defects and conform to SCAD's high-quality standards and assistance with spec sheet creation. 

As a technical designer, you will support students in planning high-quality garment completion and inspire performance-driven solutions. You will maintain professional, timely daily email correspondence with students, staff, and vendors. Among other duties, you will establish quality control standards for the technical team and office procedures, and uphold and improve department-specific technical standards, record-keeping, processes, and resources. Upon arrival and departure each day, you will complete a key inventory and maintenance check, relay needs to the appropriate person, and ensure that maintenance needs are addressed so the studio's resources are accessible and functional for students' use. Additionally, you will identify departmental supply needs and order necessary supplies. You will also collaborate with the awards and recognition office to assist students with fashion competition submissions to achieve successful outcomes on domestic and international platforms.

The ideal candidate demonstrates effective time management, communication, and organizational skills. They have technical design and apparel manufacturing skills, as evidenced by work samples and demonstrations. The candidate has an excellent understanding of the apparel design and development process, from inception through pattern layout to production. They understand how products are sourced and developed, and possess the ability to adjust patterns, analyze garment construction, and assess workmanship. Additionally, they pay excellent attention to detail.

The individual in this position has a strong understanding of technical design, including construction, fit, patternmaking, design intent, and overall garment quality, while also managing costs for cut-and-sew products. They are also knowledgeable in commercial fit and pattern standards, corrections, grading, construction methods, sewing, and sketching. The individual can quickly identify apparel flaws and adjust designs on the spot. They have a strong work ethic and high-performance standards. The individual is comfortable in a fast-paced environment and seeks continual development and growth opportunities. They are professionally interested in the clothing industry and have knowledge of factory production tools and machinery. Additionally, they can take direction and complete projects without supervision.

Minimum qualifications: 

• Proficiency in PC operation, including Microsoft Office
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Gerber AccuMark or other pattern design software
• Experience leading live fittings to evaluate overall fit and making necessary fit and pattern corrections to achieve the desired fit

Preferred qualifications: 

• Undergraduate degree in fashion design or a closely related program
• At least five years of industry experience within technical design and apparel manufacturing
• Knowledge of Avancé Embroidery Machine, Mutoh Fabric Digital Printer, and OMNIprint FreeJet Sublimation Printers

Work hours: The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To accommodate business needs, employees may be assigned to other workdays and/or hours, including weekends and evenings. 

ADA tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and minimum qualifications listed represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and/or meet the minimum qualifications.