Associate Designer

Role Overview

Castlewood Apparel Corp. is looking for a highly organized and imaginative Associate Designer to support its men’s outdoor and workwear apparel division. This role is suited to someone who enjoys working in a detail-oriented environment and can contribute meaningfully across the design and development cycle. You will work closely with the Design, Product Development, and Production teams to help translate concepts into finished products while ensuring the final output matches the intended creative direction.

The position combines design support with production readiness. It includes work on CAD development, tech pack creation, material tracking, approval coordination, and day-to-day communication with vendors and mills. A strong understanding of apparel construction, materials, fit, graphics, print development, and manufacturing processes is important, along with the ability to spot inconsistencies, address issues early, and communicate clearly across multiple styles and timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with apparel design and development from the initial concept stage through production.
• Build and revise tech packs, CADs, construction notes, trim layouts, artwork positioning, and color variations.
• Create precise technical CAD drawings from designer sketches and creative instructions.
• Prepare print, pattern, and graphic artwork files for both development and production use.
• Take part in seasonal product development, including research on fabrics, trims, washes, prints, and related components.
• Bring forward creative ideas, trend insights, and product concepts that fit the brand direction and category requirements.
• Help preserve design intent and consistency throughout the development and manufacturing process.
• Compile production-ready tech packs and supporting materials such as fabrics, colors, trims, artwork, and construction details for handoff to approved vendors.
• Review, annotate, and approve production submissions including lab dips, strike-offs, fit samples, and trim approvals to confirm alignment with standards and design intent.
• Work with the Design and Product Development teams to resolve construction, fit, costing, and manufacturing issues.
• Communicate with vendors on development progress, approvals, and revisions for assigned styles.
• Keep fabric libraries, color references, trim archives, and production records organized to maintain consistency and support counter-sourcing when necessary.
• Assist with fit sessions and relay fit and construction feedback to vendors.
• Monitor approvals, development checkpoints, and deadlines across multiple categories and seasons.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in apparel design, product development, production, or a similar area.
• Strong knowledge of apparel construction, fit, materials, trims, wash methods, print development, and packaging components.
• Prior experience working directly with mills, factories, and overseas vendors.
• Background supporting design and development in outdoor, workwear, or lifestyle apparel is preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Excel.
• Strong CAD ability, including detailed technical drawings based on designer sketches and guidance.
• Ability to develop and edit colorways, technical sketches, print layouts, and pattern artwork for development and production.
• Experience creating print, pattern, and graphic artwork files for vendor development and production execution.
• Familiarity with repeat patterns, artwork placement, and print production workflows is preferred.
• Highly organized, with the ability to juggle multiple styles and deadlines at once.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and communication skills.
• Solid understanding of garment construction, fit evaluation, and production approval processes.

Benefits

• 5 PSST days and 10 vacation days.
• Company holidays include a closure period between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Hybrid schedule: on-site from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday, remote on Friday.
• 401(k) with a $1,000 company match and profit sharing, available after 1 year of eligibility.
• Discretionary annual bonus paid in December.
• Business casual workplace environment.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $70,000 and $80,000.

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid full-time role based in New York, NY, with four in-office days and one remote day each week.