Temporary Assistant Technical Designer

Reports to: Sr. Technical Designer
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: Product and Brand Services (PBS)
Location: Zumiez Home Office - Lynnwood, WA
Employment Type: Temporary

Duration: August 2026 – Jan 2027

At Zumiez, great product starts with individuality, craft, and collaboration. We’re looking for a Temp Assistant Technical Designer who is highly organized, detail-oriented, eager to continue developing technical design skills, and excited to support the fit and product development process. This role is a great opportunity for someone with foundational apparel technical design experience who is looking to grow within apparel fit, construction, pattern review, sample tracking, and cross-functional product execution.

Zumiez and Product and Brand Services (PBS)

Zumiez is a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories, skateboards, and snowboards for customers who express their individuality through fashion, music, art, action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. Headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, Zumiez operates more than 700 stores across North America, Europe, and Australia under the Zumiez, Blue Tomato, and Fast Times brands. The Product and Brand Services (PBS) team supports more than 30 unique brands across categories including men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and snow/skate hardgoods. These brands include owned brands and licensed brands.

Position Purpose

The Temp Assistant Technical Designer supports the Technical Design team in the product development and technical design process across assigned apparel categories and other categories as business needs require. This role assists with sample organization, sample measurement, fit session preparation, tech pack updates, sample tracking, documentation, and product review under the direction of Technical Designers, Senior Technical Designers, and Technical Design leadership.

This position supports day-to-day technical design execution while continuing to build practical experience in garment measurement, fit review, construction details, block standards, tech pack accuracy, and vendor communication. Depending on prior experience and demonstrated readiness, this role may assist with more advanced technical tasks under supervision, including review of submits against approved blocks, preparation of fit notes, and maintenance of accurate category documentation.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Sample Organization, Tracking, and Team Support:

Receive, sort, organize, and deliver incoming samples and packages for the Technical Design team.
Maintain assigned sample racks, submit storage areas, and sample organization systems to support efficient team workflow.
Track, gather, organize, and deliver samples requested by Technical Design, Design, Product Development, Production or other cross-functional partners.
Assist with preparing samples for meetings, fit sessions, cross-functional review, web processing, or vendor shipments as needed.
Maintain accurate sample tracking records, including submits received, vendor status updates, comment-sent dates, and sample handoff timing.
Support weekly and seasonal sample tracking updates to help the team monitor sample flow and calendar needs.

Sample Measurement, Documentation, and Tech Pack Support:

Measure proto, fit, pre-production, and top-of-production samples across assigned categories and document measurements accurately.
Review samples and submits against tech packs, specification sheets, bills of materials, approved fit direction, and identified block standards to identify measurement, styling, construction, fit, quality, or packaging differences.
Flag questions, inconsistencies, or technical concerns to the responsible Technical Designer for review and direction.
Assist Technical Designers with updating tech packs, fit comments, construction details, specification sheets, and detail pages using Adobe Illustrator and related tools.
Under Technical Designer or Senior Technical Designer guidance, assist with preparing written fit comments, photos, illustrations, or pattern callouts for vendor communication.
Help maintain accurate category documentation, including measurement records, fit notes, sample tracking charts, and technical design files.

Fit Session and Calendar Support:

Assist with fit session preparation, including sample organization, meeting materials, fit model coordination, and fit session order.
Schedule proto and weekly fit sessions and communicate schedule updates to fit models, model agencies, and required stakeholders as directed.
Attend live model or dress form fit sessions as workload and space allow.
Support the team during fit sessions by taking notes, photos, measurements, or other documentation when requested.
Learn and apply garment construction, point of measurement, pattern review, block-driven fit, and sample evaluation standards through guided fit session support.
Help organize and route samples after fit sessions to support timely vendor comments, internal review, approvals, or handoffs.

Cross-Functional and Business Support:

Communicate clearly and professionally with internal partners and external vendors as directed.
Support Technical Design, Design, Product Development, Production, Compliance, Buying, and other PBS partners with projects as needed.
Use attention to detail, organization, and follow-through to support accurate product execution and timely sample movement.
Identify questions, priorities, and follow-up needs while escalating decisions or technical concerns to the appropriate Technical Designer or leader.
Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

Requirements

1+ year of experience in technical design, apparel product development, patternmaking, fashion design, or related field preferred. Candidates with strong coursework, internship experience, or demonstrated foundational technical design skills may also be considered.

Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, certificate, or equivalent coursework in apparel technical design, patternmaking, fashion design, textiles, product development, or related experience preferred.

Working knowledge or foundational understanding of garment construction, specifications, points of measurement, sample review, and apparel production processes.
Working knowledge or foundational understanding of fabric characteristics and the ability to distinguish between common knit and woven structures.
Foundational understanding of dye and finishing processes and how they may affect fit, drape, measurement, and product execution preferred.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.
Adobe Illustrator experience preferred.
CLO3D experience or interest in learning digital pattern tools preferred.
Strong organization, accuracy, follow-through, and attention to detail.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to take direction, ask thoughtful questions, and apply feedback.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, shift priorities, and support a fast-paced team environment.
Experience communicating with overseas vendors, factories, or partners is a plus but not required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to remain in a stationary position in an office environment for extended periods and work on a Mac or PC without limitations. Must be able to distinguish colors and inspect materials, samples, construction details, and product information. The employee may occasionally lift or move samples, packages, or related materials.

Benefits

Hourly rate: $24.50 -$28
Temporary role with potential opportunity to convert to full-time based on business needs, performance, and approved headcount.
Open, casual, pet-friendly office environment.
Paid Sick Leave, following an initial wait period
Employee discount on Zumiez products, subject to eligibility.
On-site skate park and on-site cafeteria.

This job description is not all-inclusive and is intended to describe the general nature of the work. All job responsibilities are considered essential job functions. Job responsibilities and requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The Company reserves the right to modify this job description as it deems necessary for proper business operations.

Qualifications