TECHNICAL GARMENT DESIGNER

About the Role

Posspole Fashion is seeking an experienced Technical Garment Designer specializing in functional apparel, protective clothing, and performance-oriented garment development. The role involves developing specialized garments for applications such as defence, aviation, industrial safety, tactical equipment, and protective workwear. This is a technical product development role, not a conventional fashion styling or collection-design position.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Garment Design & Development
• Develop functional garment designs based on technical briefs, performance requirements, and end-user needs.
• Create detailed technical sketches, garment specifications, and construction drawings.
• Design specialized garments incorporating functional pockets, adjustable systems, reinforcements, and protective components.
• Ensure garment designs consider ergonomics, mobility, comfort, durability, and practical usability.
• Pattern Development & Construction
• Work closely with pattern makers and sampling teams to develop accurate garment patterns.
• Understand and specify garment construction methods, seam types, stitching techniques, and reinforcement requirements.
• Review patterns and samples to identify fit, construction, and functionality issues.
• Recommend design modifications to improve performance and manufacturability.
• Technical Materials & Hardware
• Identify and recommend suitable technical fabrics, protective textiles, and functional materials.
• Understand the application of flame-resistant fabrics, high-strength textiles, coated materials, and reinforcement fabrics.
• Integrate functional components such as webbing, buckles, straps, zippers, closures, and modular pockets.
• Collaborate with relevant engineering specialists when integrating load-bearing or safety-critical components.
• Tech Packs & Manufacturing Documentation
• Develop comprehensive manufacturing tech packs.
• Prepare technical flats, measurement specifications, construction details, and material specifications.
• Create Bills of Materials (BOMs) covering fabrics, trims, hardware, and accessories.
• Document sampling corrections, construction requirements, and prototype revisions.
• Prototyping & Product Validation
• Coordinate with sampling teams and manufacturers to develop functional prototypes.
• Conduct garment fit and functionality reviews.
• Identify practical manufacturing challenges and recommend solutions.
• Support material selection, prototype evaluation, and product refinement.
• Work with technical and engineering teams to incorporate relevant testing and compliance requirements.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Demonstrated experience in technical garment design, garment construction, or functional apparel product development.
• Strong understanding of pattern making, garment assembly, stitching, seam construction, and reinforcement techniques.
• Ability to develop detailed, manufacturing-ready technical specifications and tech packs.
• Experience working directly with sampling teams, pattern makers, and garment manufacturers.
• Knowledge of technical fabrics, functional trims, and garment hardware.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or equivalent technical design software.
• Ability to independently manage garment development from initial brief through prototype refinement.

Preferred Industry Experience

Candidates with hands-on experience in any of the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Military and tactical apparel
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Industrial safety garments
• Firefighter protective clothing
• Motorcycle protective apparel
• Technical outdoor and performance clothing
• Safety harnesses and load-carrying textile equipment
• Specialised uniforms and functional workwear

Previous experience in aerospace or defence garment development would be advantageous but is not mandatory.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Fashion Technology, Apparel Design, Garment Technology, Textile Engineering, Apparel Production, or a related discipline.

Candidates with substantial hands-on technical garment development experience will also be considered.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a hands-on technical garment developer who understands how garments are engineered, constructed, and manufactured, rather than someone whose experience is primarily in fashion illustration or styling. The candidate should be comfortable working with complex garment constructions, specialized materials, functional hardware, and technical manufacturing requirements.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should share:

• Updated CV.
• Portfolio showcasing technical garment development work.
• Examples of technical drawings, tech packs, or construction specifications.
• Details of relevant protective, functional, or performance garment projects.
• Availability for freelance or project-based assignments.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete a practical technical assessment focused on garment construction, functional design, and manufacturability.