Freelance Apparel Technical Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CREATIVE + TECHNICAL + ACCURATE + TEAM-FIRST.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We live in a fast-paced creative world. Lakeshirts is looking for an experienced Apparel Technical Designer to help move apparel ideas from concept to production-ready reality.

You will partner with design and product teams to build garments across multiple product lines. This role creates tech packs, reviews samples, supports fittings, troubleshoots construction details, and communicates technical updates with vendors. It is a strong fit for someone who loves apparel product development, Excel, Adobe Illustrator, accuracy, and teamwork.

PAY + SCHEDULE

Location: Detroit Lakes, MN. This is a full-time, onsite role.

Shift: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Pay: $18.00-$20.00 per hour, based on experience.

Growth: This role can grow through stronger fit ownership, vendor communication, technical documentation, and product development support. Advancement opportunities vary by department and business need.

BENEFITS

Lakeshirts offers a fun, creative, and team-driven culture where employees are empowered to grow and thrive. We provide competitive pay with daily pay options, comprehensive insurance benefits, up to 22 paid days off in the first year, profit sharing, a 401(k) plan, a relaxed dress code, unique perks like an onsite cafeteria and more. Join us and be part of a company that values teamwork, innovation, and making work better in a t-shirt.

A TYPICAL DAY

• Move apparel styles from concept to production-ready samples by resolving fit, construction, measurement, and specification questions.
• Create and update tech packs, specs, grading rules, point-of-measurement standards, and fit documentation in Excel and related systems.
• Apply knowledge of fabrics, trims, garment construction, sewing, technical drawing, measuring, and fitting to support quality and consistency.
• Manage incoming samples and sample libraries; review fit, construction, design intent, and production readiness.
• Coordinate model fittings, document measurements, and update specs based on fit sessions, size runs, revisions, and vendor feedback.
• Troubleshoot fit, grading, construction, production, quality, and costing concerns while recommending practical solutions.
• Communicate technical updates, specification changes, fit requirements, and sample feedback to vendors, suppliers, and teammates.
• Support fabric testing, process improvements, product presentations, and technical design standards while performing other duties as assigned.

SKILLS

• Degree in Fashion, Apparel Design, Technical Design, or related apparel fieldrequired.
• 4+ years of technical design experience in apparel, merchandising, product development, or a related apparel environment.
• Knowledge of pattern making, grading, garment construction, sewing, technical drawing, measuring, fitting, fabrics, trims, and development timelines.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, PLM or product systems, Microsoft Office, and Excel; able tomaintain accurate technical documentation.
• Detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple apparel projects in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong written communication, decision-making, follow-through, and time-management skills; comfortable working with vendors and cross-functional teams.

WHY LAKESHIRTS IS THE PLACE YOU WANT TO BE

At Lakeshirts, we believe in making work as awesome as the apparel we create. We are not just a t-shirt company; we are also a hat, sticker, sock, and so-much-more company. Creativity meets culture here, and ideas, innovation, and teamwork are part of the day-to-day. Better in a t-shirt. And work should be too.

COGNITIVE OR MENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

Employee must be able to read, write, understand, and communicate work instructions, measurements, specifications, and vendor feedback. This role requires good judgment, attention to detail, organization, flexibility, problem solving, follow-through, collaboration, and the ability to manage changing priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

CONTINUOUSLY: Use a computer, review apparel details, communicate with teammates, and alternate between sitting, standing, and walking as needed.

FREQUENTLY: Handle garments, samples, trims, documents, and other materials; reach at desk or table height; lift or carry items under 10 lbs.

OCCASIONALLY: Lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing 10-50 lbs.; bend, twist, reach above or below shoulder height, climb, balance, or move sample materials as needed. Move items over 50 lbs. with assistance or equipment when appropriate.

NEVER: Crawl as an essential function of the role.

NOTE / DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, skills, effort, or working conditions. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.