Senior CAD Print & Pattern Designer – Girls Swim — New York, NY

Job Title: Senior CAD Print & Pattern Designer – Girls Swim

Position Overview

We are seeking a talented and experienced Senior CAD Print & Pattern Designer to join our creative team, specializing in girls’ and children’s swim/apparel. This role is responsible for developing original prints, patterns, graphics, and artwork from initial concept through final production.

The ideal candidate has a strong eye for design, a passion for print and pattern development, and advanced technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite & Ned Graphics is a Plus. This individual will play an important role in bringing seasonal design concepts to life while ensuring all artwork meets brand direction, quality standards, and production requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Print & Pattern Design

• Develop original all-over prints (AOP), engineered and placement prints, graphics, embroideries, and embellishments that align with seasonal trends and brand aesthetics.

• Translate trend research, inspiration, and creative direction into compelling artwork for girls’ and children’s swim.

• Create and refine hand-drawn, painted, and digitally developed artwork.

CAD & Technical Development

• Develop seamless, production-ready repeat patterns, including engineered layouts, colorways, and scale adjustments.

• Prepare technical CADs, artwork layouts, and design presentations for line reviews and buyer presentations.

• Ensure artwork is properly prepared, formatted, and executed for production across various fabrications and printing techniques.

Color Development

• Develop seasonal colorways and execute accurate color matching and color separations.

• Work with Pantone and other color-matching systems to ensure consistency between artwork, lab dips, strike-offs, and production.

• Collaborate with production partners on color approvals and print execution.

File & Artwork Management

• Maintain and organize digital artwork libraries, original source files, repeat files, and technical specifications.

• Ensure all files are properly labeled, archived, and accessible for future development and production needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with design, merchandising, product development, and production teams throughout the development process.

• Work with domestic and overseas factories to review print strike-offs, lab dips, and samples, providing clear feedback to achieve the intended design execution.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide creative and technical guidance to junior designers and freelance artists.

• Help maintain consistency in artwork quality, brand standards, and technical execution.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator & knowledge of Ned Graphics is a Plus, with strong capabilities in print development, repeat engineering, vector manipulation, and digital artwork.

• Strong understanding of textile design, surface pattern development, and print production techniques.

• Knowledge of fabric construction, including knit and woven applications, print scale, and placement considerations.

• Strong understanding of color development, color separations, and production requirements for digital, screen, and sublimation printing.

• Excellent sense of color, composition, scale, and overall aesthetic.

• Knowledge of current trends in girls’ and children’s swim or apparel, with experience using trend forecasting resources such as WGSN.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and seasonal deadlines.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Surface Design, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in textile, print, or CAD design, preferably within the children’s, junior, or women’s swim/apparel markets.

• A strong portfolio demonstrating original print development, repeat patterns, artwork, colorways, and production-ready CAD execution.

Salary $80,000-$110,000