Senior Swim Technical Designer

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.