Sr. Technical Designer-Apparel

About the role

Steve Madden is a global fashion company known for its innovative, trend-driven footwear, accessories, and apparel. Founded in 1990 in Queens, New York, the company has grown into a globally recognized fashion organization with a portfolio of leading brands, including Steve Madden, Kurt Geiger London, Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, Carvela, Blondo, and ATM. With a presence in more than 80 countries, Steve Madden operates across wholesale, retail, e-commerce, licensing, and private label businesses. The company is driven by creativity, individuality, and a fast-paced entrepreneurial spirit, bringing fashion-forward products to consumers around the world.

What You’ll Do

• Own the Technical Design Process: Manage the technical design lifecycle from initial development through pre-production approval, ensuring product meets fit, quality, construction, and design expectations.
• Bring Designs to Life: Partner closely with Designers to understand the creative vision and fit intent, translating concepts into detailed technical specification packages and production-ready product.
• Drive Fit & Quality: Conduct fit sessions on live models, evaluating balance, proportion, construction, and overall fit. Provide thoughtful recommendations and translate feedback into clear, actionable fit comments.
• Be the Technical Expert: Analyze samples for specifications, pattern, construction, and workmanship, identifying opportunities to improve fit, quality, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate Globally: Work closely with overseas factories and manufacturing partners, clearly communicating fit and construction corrections through detailed written comments, photographs, diagrams, and pattern corrections.
• Solve Problems Before They Happen: Proactively identify and resolve technical, production, quality, and costing challenges throughout the development process.
• Keep Product Moving: Manage multiple styles, projects, and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and ensuring key milestones stay on track.
• Build Strong Partnerships: Develop productive relationships with Design, Production, Merchandising, overseas factories, and other cross-functional partners.
• Manage Daily Communication: Serve as a key point of contact for technical design correspondence with overseas manufacturing partners.
• Make an Impact: Bring a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset to the team and contribute to special projects and initiatives as needed.

What You Bring

• 10+ years of Technical Design experience, preferably within the Better/Contemporary market or fashion-forward apparel.
• Deep expertise in garment construction, fit, pattern-making, and tailoring.
• A highly developed eye for fit, styling, proportion, and overall product execution.
• Strong ability to translate a Designer’s creative vision into technically sound, production-ready product.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with both internal teams and overseas partners.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across Design, Production, Merchandising, and manufacturing.
• Exceptional organization and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with strong problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven fashion environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Illustrator.

Pay

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $100,000-$120,000. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure.

Benefits

• Health and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401K
• Paid holidays
• A generous paid time-off policy
• Career opportunities within a dynamic team