Sr. Pattern Maker / Technical Designer

Description

Position Overview

• Bring design concepts to life as a Sr. Pattern Maker / Technical Designer at Chef Works. In this hands-on role, you’ll transform creative concepts into production-ready patterns, garments, and technical specifications that meet standards for fit, function, quality, and manufacturability.
• You’ll partner with Design, Product Development, Sample Makers, Production, and manufacturing partners throughout the Go-To-Market (GTM) process, from initial concept through fit, refinement, and final production approval.
• The ideal candidate has strong expertise in garment construction, patternmaking, grading, fit, and apparel production, along with hands-on experience using Optitex and PLM systems.
• This is a fully in-person, Monday–Friday position based at our Chef Works headquarters in Poway, California.
• This role requires regular on-site collaboration with Design, Product Development, Sample Makers, Production, and other cross-functional teams

What You’ll Do

Patternmaking & Technical Product Development

• Translate design concepts, sketches, and samples into production-ready patterns and technical specifications.
• Develop measurement specifications, construction details, and grading requirements for offshore production.
• Create, modify, grade, and export digital patterns using Optitex CAD/patternmaking software.
• Refine and update style patterns for fit, construction, and product requirements as needed.
• Collaborate in the creation of a fit block library.
• Lead fittings on live models and/or dress forms to evaluate and resolve fit, proportion, balance, and construction issues.
• Review physical samples and digital pattern files to identify discrepancies and determine necessary adjustments.
• Own accuracy and version control of pattern files and technical documentation, ensuring seamless integration into PLM systems and tech packs
• Review fit and construction across prototype rounds, recommending improvements to manufacturability and overall product consistency.
• Apply knowledge of marker making, fabric utilization, and production requirements to support yield and cost considerations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Design, Product Development, Sample Makers, Production, and offshore manufacturing teams throughout development.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and ensure products meet design, quality, cost, and production requirements.
• Communicate technical requirements and recommendations clearly to internal and external partners.
• Support the GTM process from concept ? pattern ? sample ? fit ? revision ? production approval.

Standards & Process Improvement

• Maintain organized digital pattern libraries, including accurate file naming, version control, and pattern history.
• Help establish consistent blocks, pattern standards, measurement standards, and fit guidelines across product categories.
• Identify opportunities to improve development processes, product consistency, and efficiency.
• Ensure patterns and technical specifications are accurate and complete prior to final approval.

Requirements

What You Bring

• 5–7+ years of experience in apparel patternmaking, technical design, fit, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, patternmaking, grading, fit, and apparel manufacturing.
• Proven ability to turn design concepts into accurate technical specifications and patterns.
• Hands-on experience with Optitex, including converting, digitizing, modifying, grading, and exporting digital patterns.
• Experience with workwear, uniforms, lifestyle, performance, or high-volume apparel preferred.
• Ability to interpret sketches, samples, measurement charts, and technical specifications.
• Experience working with overseas factories and manufacturing partners.
• Experience working with both physical samples and digital pattern files.
• Experience within a structured Go-To-Market (GTM) product-development calendar.
• Familiarity with PLM systems and tech packs preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple styles, priorities, and development timelines.

Why This Role Matters

This role serves as an important connection between Design and Production, ensuring creative concepts become well-fitting, functional, and production-ready garments.

If you enjoy solving technical challenges, refining fit and construction, collaborating across teams, and seeing products move from concept to finished product, we’d love to hear from you.