Apparel Manufacturing Engineer – Garment Construction & Sewing

• Direct experience manufacturing clothing in a cut-and-sew factory is required.
• Applicants must also have proficiency with Gerber AccuMark or comparable apparel patternmaking software, such as Lectra or Optitex.
• Apparel Manufacturing Engineer: Help turn clothing concepts into quality finished garments.
• We are seeking an experienced Apparel Manufacturing Engineer to help develop new garments, improve production methods, and support our cutting and stitching teams.
• This is a hands-on position for someone who understands how clothing is designed, patterned, cut, sewn, pressed, and produced consistently in a factory setting.
• You will guide products from concept and prototype through full production while improving quality, efficiency, and material use.

Develop garments and prepare them for production

• Translate product concepts into practical garment designs, patterns, samples, and production-ready specifications.
• Use Gerber AccuMark or equivalent apparel CAD software to create, adjust, and grade patterns.
• Evaluate garment fit, measurements, sizing, construction, and production feasibility.
• Develop pattern layouts and markers that support accurate cutting and reduce fabric waste.
• Select and evaluate fabrics, linings, interfacings, trims, and other components for performance, durability, appearance, and cost.
• Coordinate prototype construction, fittings, testing, revisions, and approval for production.
• Create and maintain technical specifications, Bills of Materials, and Bills of Operations, including construction details and production sequences.
• Estimate material requirements and labor costs for new products and custom orders.
  Improve clothing manufacturing processe.
• Develop and improve cutting, sewing, pressing, finishing, and packing methods.
• Establish efficient workstation layouts, production sequences, and balanced workloads.
• Conduct time and motion studies and establish labor standards.
• Write clear work instructions and train employees in consistent production methods.
• Identify and resolve garment construction, equipment, workflow, and quality problems.
• Support the selection, setup, operation, and troubleshooting of apparel manufacturing equipment in collaboration with maintenance.
• Use production data, Statistical Process Control, and other measurement tools to reduce defects, rework, and waste.
• Support safe work practices and continuous improvement throughout the production floor.
• Lead projects and work across departments
• Manage new product introductions and manufacturing improvement projects.
• Establish timelines, track milestones, and communicate progress.
• Work closely with production employees, Softgoods leadership, materials, maintenance, sales, marketing, and product management.
• Help ensure garments meet customer expectations, quality standards, and cost targets.

Required experience and qualifications:

• Please apply only if you have direct experience producing clothing in a factory setting and using apparel-specific CAD software.

Qualified candidates will bring:

• At least five years of progressive experience in clothing or apparel manufacturing, with direct involvement in cut-and-sew production.
• Proficiency with Gerber AccuMark, Lectra, Optitex, or comparable garment patternmaking and grading software. General engineering CAD experience alone does not meet this requirement.
• Strong knowledge of patternmaking, grading, sizing, garment fit, and construction.
  Practical understanding of fabric behavior, grainlines, shrinkage, seam and stitch selection, garment assembly, pressing, and finishing.
• Experience developing samples and moving approved garments into repeatable factory production.
• Ability to prepare accurate garment specifications, material lists, construction instructions, and production documentation.
• Experience improving sewing methods, workstation layouts, production flow, and line balancing.
• Experience conducting time studies, setting labor standards, and training production employees.
• Hands-on familiarity with industrial sewing machines, cutting equipment, pressing equipment, and related apparel production tools.
• Experience using production and quality data to identify problems and measure improvements.
• At least two years of experience leading projects, new product introductions, or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Apparel Manufacturing, Textile Technology, Fashion Production, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Substantial relevant apparel manufacturing experience may be considered in place of a formal degree.     
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• Preferred qualifications
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• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar improvement methods.
• Experience developing custom garments or small production runs.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management systems and digital apparel development workflows.
• Knowledge of applicable garment labeling, product safety, and quality requirements.

Work environment

• You will divide your time between computer-based development work and hands-on work in sample, cutting, and sewing areas.
• Duties include standing and walking in production areas, handling fabrics and prototypes, inspecting garment details, and occasionally lifting or carrying materials weighing approximately 20–30 pounds.
• Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Submit a resume that clearly identifies:

• The clothing or sewn apparel products you have helped develop and manufacture.
  Your direct experience working in a cut-and-sew factory.
• The apparel CAD systems you have used and your level of proficiency.
• Your experience improving garment production methods or introducing new products.
• Your ability to work on-site in Pittsfield, Maine, Monday through Friday.

Experience:

• Gerber AccuMark (or equivalent) software: 2 years (Required)
• Apparel product engineering: 5 years (Required)