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Pattern Making Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Skip

Soft Goods Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$137.30K/yr

Lead the design and technical development of the MO/GO integration pant from concept through production - pattern making, material selection, fit iteration, and factory handoff * Define the ...

The Workshop LA

Technical Designer

Burbank, CA · Hybrid

Knowledge of pattern making and grading. * Familiarity with international sourcing and manufacturing standards. Preferred Education and Experience: * Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textiles, or ...

Solomon Page

Garment Developer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$45 - $50/hr

Bachelors degree (7+ years combined college education, pattern-making training and work experience may be substituted for a degree); Design school degree a plus. " * Minimum 5 years experience ...

Doen

Assistant Technical Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$24/hr

General knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, production sewing techniques, fabrication, and trims. * Strong computer skills including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, MS Word, Excel, 2D ...

Torrid

Technical Designer - Intimates

Rowland Heights, CA · Hybrid

$78K - $98K/yr

Minimum 5 years of experience in technical design, pattern making, or quality assurance, or a combination of education and work experience. * High School Diploma required a four (4)-year college ...

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Pattern Making information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$76.4K

$124.3K

How much do pattern making jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for pattern making in California is $76,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,400.00 and $84,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Pattern Making job?

A Pattern Making job involves creating templates or blueprints for garments, accessories, or other textile-based products. Pattern makers translate design sketches into accurate patterns that guide the cutting and sewing process in production. They use specialized software or manual techniques to ensure proper fit, proportions, and construction details. Precision and attention to detail are essential, as patterns dictate the final look and functionality of a product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Pattern Making position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Pattern Making, a strong understanding of garment construction, dimensional accuracy, and textile properties is essential, often supported by coursework or experience in fashion design or apparel technology. Familiarity with pattern drafting software like Gerber, Optitex, or CAD systems is typically required, and formal certifications can be an advantage. Attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure the creation of functional, well-fitting garments and facilitate smooth collaboration within the production team.

What are some common challenges faced by Pattern Makers in the apparel industry?

Pattern Makers often encounter challenges such as accommodating unique design specifications while ensuring garments maintain proper fit and functionality. Balancing creative vision with technical limitations, especially when working with new fabrics or manufacturing processes, can require innovative problem-solving. Additionally, managing tight deadlines and frequent iterations with design and production teams demands strong organizational skills. Collaborating closely with designers, sample makers, and production staff is key to overcoming these challenges and achieving high-quality, finished products.

What career can you have with pattern making?

Pattern making is a key skill in the fashion and apparel industry, enabling careers such as fashion designer, technical designer, sample maker, or pattern maker technician. Professionals in this field often work in clothing manufacturing, costume design, or product development, utilizing tools like CAD software and sewing techniques. Advanced skills and certifications can lead to roles in design management or pattern development for large brands.
More about Pattern Making jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Pattern Making jobs in California? The most popular types of Pattern Making jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Pattern Making jobs in California? For Pattern Making jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pattern Making jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Pattern Making jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Pattern Making jobs? Cities in California with the most Pattern Making job openings:
Pattern Making jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pattern Making job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 9% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $76,363 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Soft Goods Designer

Skip

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$137.30K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

ABOUT US:
Skip is on a mission to make life joyful through powered movement.
Movement is a powerful way to build physical, mental and social health. Yet it is elusive for 2 billion people due to age, injury, or disability. We are building productsthat will restore mobility for millions and enable a new frontier of joyful movement experiences. We want to build a future where a grandparent can easily outrun their grandkids and no one is left behind at the trailhead.
Skip is a 22-person early-stage start-up that spun out of Google X in 2023. With deep cross-disciplinary expertise and key partnerships (e.g. with Arc'teryx) we are uniquely positioned to launch the first commercially successful wearable robotic device, the MO/GO, develop a platform to launch future Movewear products and transform millions of lives in the coming years.
THE ROLE:
We are seeking a highly motivated and adaptable soft goods designer who is excited to solve problems that have never existed before - because the product category hasn't existed before.
You will own the design and development of the garments that integrate with the MO/GO, starting with a technical pant built to work with our wearable robotic device. This isn't a fashion brief. It's a functional systems design challenge: the garment is part of the product. You'll work hand-in-hand with our mechanical and human factors engineers to make sure fabric, fit, and device work as one.
Some of the specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Lead the design and technical development of the MO/GO integration pant from concept through production - pattern making, material selection, fit iteration, and factory handoff
  • Define the functional requirements of the garment in close collaboration with our mechanical, firmware, and human factors teams - attachment points, range of motion, load paths, and sensor placement all live in your brief
  • Select and qualify technical fabrics and materials for performance bottoms: stretch wovens, knits, softshells, and any novel material that earns its place on the body
  • Build and iterate physical prototypes rapidly; run fit sessions with internal wearers and external test users and translate feedback into pattern and material updates
  • Own the Bill of Materials, tech packs, and construction specs to a standard that factories can execute reliably at scale
  • Establish and manage relationships with fabric mills, trims suppliers, and cut-and-sew factories; understand lead times, MOQs, and what it takes to actually get something made
  • Contribute to the long-term Movewear soft goods platform - define the design language, material standards, and construction principles that future products will build on
  • Collaborate with our Arc'teryx partners and bring that standard of craft and technical rigour to everything you make
  • Wear prototypes on hikes, in the gym, and around the office - your body is a test rig
Basic Qualifications
  • 8+ years' experience in soft goods design and development, with a focus on technical bottoms
  • 5+ years at an outdoor, performance, or technical apparel company - you know what makes a pant work in the field
  • Expert-level knowledge of technical fabrics for lower body: stretch wovens, softshells, knits, and the trims and hardware that go with them
  • Strong pattern making and garment construction fundamentals - you can read and mark up a pattern, not just a mood board
  • Experience writing tech packs and managing factory relationships through production
  • Ability to relocate to work at the Skip Bay Area office
  • Sense of humour, tolerant of Aussie & Canadian spelling
Bonus Points
  • Experience designing garments that integrate with hardware, bracing, or orthotic devices
  • Familiarity with human factors, ergonomics, or biomechanics as they apply to garment design
  • Experience with medical or assistive device adjacent apparel (compression, prosthetics interface, exosuit softgoods)
  • Experience in start-up or early-stage product environments
  • Personal motivation to improve human movement
  • Taylor Swift fan. Good taste in background music :)

This is a full time hybrid position working at the Skip office in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco.
Skip is an equal opportunity employer. Our hiring decisions are based on need and competence to satisfy said need. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected status.
Any and all offers of employment extended by Skip are conditional on candidates' ability to provide satisfactory proof of eligibility to maintain full-time employment in the United States.

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