What's the Short Version?
The Design Technologist is a key member of our Apparel, Bags and Accessories Design team and works at the intersection of design, technology, and innovation. They help our design team get the most out of Adobe Creative Cloud, explore how AI can support fashion design workflows, and build systems and templates that help the team work smarter.
What Will You Be Doing?
- Build and maintain templates, automations, and reusable assets in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign that save the design team time.
- Help train and support designers, assistant designers, and merchandisers on Adobe best practices through documentation, peer coaching, and team workshops.
- Experiment with AI tools to help transform technical sketches into 3D or photoreal renders for internal and external visual communications.
- Stay current on emerging tools (Vizcom, New Arc, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Runway, CLO, Browzewear, and others) and share findings with the team.
- Contribute to internal prompt libraries, AI workflow documentation, and best practices that make new tools approachable for the team.
- Partner with the Design Operations Manager to develop SOPs, file and folder management standards, and project workflows.
- Spot inefficiencies in current workflows and bring forward practical, designer-friendly solutions.
- Partner with fashion design and merchandising teams to understand their needs and deliver tools that solve them.
- Support the team's growth by piloting new technologies that inform our broader Design Studio roadmap.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Comply with all policies and standards.
What Are We Looking For?
- 6+ years of experience in a creative/design technologist, production design, design operations, or creative services role – ideally within fashion, apparel, or a related consumer goods industry, or equivalent education.
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, with hands-on experience using data merge, master pages, paragraph and character styles, and template systems.
- Demonstrated interest in and experience using AI tools for fashion design or creative workflows, with work samples or examples that show applied use.
- Process orientation with experience building SOPs, templates, or documentation that teams can adopt.
- Familiarity with file and folder management systems (SharePoint, Box, Google Drive, or similar) and project management tools (Asana preferred).
- Clear written communication – you can document workflows in a way that's easy for others to follow.
- Background in B2B apparel, licensed brands, corporate uniforming, or a similar industry is preferred.
- Exposure to 3D apparel tools (CLO 3D, Browzewear, Substance) or AI fashion tools (Vizcom, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly) is preferred.
- Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) platforms, including tagging, metadata, and upload guidelines is preferred.
- Light scripting experience (JavaScript for Adobe, Python) to automate workflows is preferred.
- Experience supporting peer training, workshops, or team onboarding is preferred.
What's Our Offer?
Salary Range: You`ll earn between $80,170 - $115,000 annually, depending on experience.
Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 10% of base salary.
Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a bi-weekly basis based on hours worked up to 112 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.
Additional Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
- Life insurance
- Short/long-term disability coverage
- Paid maternity/paternity leave
- Pet insurance
What Should You Expect?
Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. Periodic travel may be required. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent use of hands for keyboarding and standard office equipment is required. Occasional standing, walking, and reaching may be needed to attend meetings or collaborate in an office setting. The role requires the ability to perform close visual work on a computer for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10–15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Skills Required
- 6+ years of experience in a creative or design technologist, production design, design operations, or creative services role, ideally in fashion, apparel, or related consumer goods
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, including data merge, master pages, paragraph and character styles, and template systems
- Demonstrated interest in and experience using AI tools for fashion design or creative workflows, with work samples or applied examples
- Experience building SOPs, templates, or documentation that teams can adopt
- Familiarity with file and folder management systems such as SharePoint, Box, or Google Drive, and project management tools; Asana preferred
- Clear written communication and ability to document workflows for others
- Background in B2B apparel, licensed brands, corporate uniforming, or a similar industry
- Exposure to 3D apparel tools or AI fashion tools, including CLO 3D, Browzwear, Substance, Vizcom, Midjourney, or Adobe Firefly
- Familiarity with digital asset management platforms, tagging, metadata, and upload guidelines
- Light scripting experience with JavaScript for Adobe or Python to automate workflows
- Experience supporting peer training, workshops, or team onboarding
SanMar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SanMar and has not been reviewed or approved by SanMar.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability, alongside an EAP and digital mental‑health and chronic‑condition tools. Benefits are often characterized as solid for the company's size, supporting positive views of total rewards.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with company match and per‑pay‑period vesting is repeatedly highlighted, reinforcing retirement support as a core element of the package. This straightforward match is framed as competitive within the company’s industry context.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off with holiday schedules and a dedicated family day are emphasized, alongside documented paid parental leave. Role‑specific postings also indicate PTO accrual that begins early and grows with tenure.
SanMar Insights
What We Do
SanMar’s success and growth can be attributed to one thing - outstanding employees who provide superior services and products to our customers. We promote a culture that recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Recognizing that happy and relaxed employees make better ambassadors for SanMar, we encourage initiative and participation by creating a casual environment that taps full employee potential. Family owned since 1971, SanMar is an award-winning supplier of over 20 retail and private brands of imprintable apparel and accessories, including Port Authority, America’s No. 1 preferred private label. SanMar is the exclusive distributor of Nike Golf, Eddie Bauer®, OGIO® and New Era®. SanMar is based outside Seattle, WA, with eight national distribution centers. We invest in your future with life-enhancing opportunities and benefits including: • Competitive pay and bonuses • Competitive benefits • Company paid time off (PTO) • Life insurance • 401(k) plan with matching fund • Flexible spending program • Anniversary awards • Discounts on brand name clothing • Diverse and laid-back atmosphere • One floating family holiday every year • Monthly employee events • Charitable giving of your choice • Flexible schedules We’re growing and encourage you to find out what over 4,000 employees call the “The SanMar Difference.” SanMar is currently accepting resumes for those who have the necessary skills. SanMar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
