Director of Technical Design

THE COMPANY: BIRDY GREY

THE OPPORTUNITY: Director of Technical Design

REPORTS TO: VP of Product Development and Production

LOCATION: DTLA (4 days on site)

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA with an office in New York, NY, Birdy Grey supports hybrid work for eligible roles. This role requires working from our DTLA office 4 days a week. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. #LI-Hybrid

Birdy Grey is launching a new LA-based sample room to accelerate innovation, enhance technical development, and drive speed-to-market for our fashion-forward bridesmaid and occasionwear styles. We are seeking a Director of Technical Design to lead this newly created team and sample room operation.

This role will be responsible for building, managing, and scaling a cross-functional sample room team, including a Technical Design Manager, Patternmaker, and Sample Maker/Sewer, and will serve as the key technical lead for all in-house prototyping.

This individual will work in close collaboration with Design, Merchandising, and PD/Production teams in Los Angeles, as well as our founder, to bring creative concepts to life. In parallel, this leader will also partner closely with our China-based team to ensure all technical documentation, patterns, and product information are effectively transitioned for production and manufacturing at scale.

This is a highly strategic and hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-ownership environment and is passionate about building great teams, flawless fit, and innovative product development processes.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage the LA-based technical design team, including a Manager of Technical Design, Patternmaker, and Sample Maker/Sewer.
• Set up and oversee the daily operations of Birdy Grey’s new LA sample room - ensuring effective cross-functional collaboration, operational efficiency, and creative excellence.
• Serve as a key technical point person in collaboration with our Tech Manager during product development - ensuring fit, construction, and technical accuracy across all styles developed in-house.
• Conduct fittings across prototypes sourced from various locations - including the LA sample room, BG China sample room, and supplier sample rooms - and ensure fast, accurate, and thoughtful fit feedback and comment turnaround.
• Support clear and effective communication with suppliers, including joining calls or visiting supplier sites as needed - especially during onboarding or key development moments - to ensure proper interpretation of fit direction and accelerate development timelines.
• Work with your technical design team to drive standardization of fit and garment construction across our growing global supplier base in collaboration with the PD/Production and BG China teams.
• Continuously improve and evolve our fit process, balancing speed and precision while maintaining brand consistency and product quality.
• Ensure all tech packs and handoff materials are detailed, clear, and production-ready - proactively aligning with the China team and suppliers to validate that instructions meet the level of detail required for accurate execution.
• Review fittings, oversee fit sessions, and guide pattern revisions in collaboration with Design and Tech Design teams.
• Develop and organize technical tools, SOPs, and documentation to ensure efficient knowledge transfer between LA and overseas teams.
• Play a leadership role in driving faster product development cycles and innovation across multiple fabric categories, including chiffon, matte satin, and luxe knit.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives around Fast MOD and future supplier handoffs.

THE RIGHT CANDIDATE: QUALIFICATIONS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Technical Design, Apparel Production, or Patternmaking from an accredited fashion school

EXPERIENCE / REQUIREMENTS:

• • 10+ years of experience in technical design, with deep expertise in formalwear, eveningwear, or bridal - including patternmaking, fit, and garment construction using delicate woven fabrics.
  • Proven experience managing and developing technical design teams, including patternmakers and sewers, ideally within a sample room environment.
  • Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills - able to effectively partner with Design, Merchandising, PD/Production, and overseas teams.
  • Hands-on experience conducting fittings across multiple sample sources (in-house, overseas, and external suppliers), with the ability to deliver clear, accurate, and fast fit comments.
  • Passion for fit standardization and continuous improvement; experience driving consistency across a global supplier base.
  • Skilled in tech pack development, ensuring all documentation is detailed, clear, and actionable for production teams and factory partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve in real-time with suppliers, including willingness to jump on calls or conduct in-person visits as needed to clarify construction methods and accelerate development.
  • Highly detail-oriented, process-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional partners and suppliers around fit and quality standards.
  • Experience working with global suppliers.

NICE TO HAVES:

• Familiarity with CLO 3D or other 3D design software is a plus.
• Mandarin speaker
• Experience working with China-based production teams