Mid Level Apparel Designer Jobs
Mid level apparel designer jobs go to designers ready to own collections or product categories end to end, make construction and material decisions with limited oversight, and guide junior teammates through the development process. Roles are concentrated in Staffing & Recruiting and Fashion & Apparel, with a mix of on-site, hybrid, and remote positions available and employers like 24 Seven Talent, Fashion Nova, and Deckers Outdoor Corporation hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 5+ Mid Level Apparel Designer jobs
Looking for more mid level apparel designer jobs?
Explore related role searches to find more openings that fit.
See related jobsINTRODUCTION
Apparel Associate Designer (Kidswear) Onsite 5 days a week - NYC $65K-$70K Base (DOE) This role is ideal for a creative, trend-driven designer with experience developing licensed apparel and a strong understanding of the kids’, tween, or junior apparel market. The successful candidate will design and develop fresh, trend-right concepts each season, collaborate cross-functionally to bring products from concept through production, and support the creation of commercially viable assortments that meet customer and market needs.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and develop licensed apparel for Big Girls and Tweens
- Create seasonal CADs and sketches in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to support line presentations and product development
- Collaborate with Senior Designers, Graphic Artists, Product Development, and Technical Design teams to bring concepts to production
- Partner with Sales to ensure assortments align with customer needs and market demand
- Research fashion, retail, and pop culture trends to inspire new concepts and identify opportunities
- Participate in fittings and provide input to maintain design integrity and proper fit
- Communicate with licensors to obtain timely design approvals and ensure brand standards are met
- Review tech packs, lab dips, strike-offs, and fabric qualities for accuracy and quality
- Work with costing and production teams to ensure designs are both creative and cost-effective
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3–5 years of design experience in kids’, tween, or junior apparel
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; strong sketching skills a plus
- Experience with character-licensed apparel such as Disney or Nickelodeon strongly preferred
- Solid knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and embellishments
- Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Must be based in New York City or open to relocation for an onsite role
INTRODUCTION
Apparel Associate Designer (Kidswear) Onsite 5 days a week - NYC $65K-$70K Base (DOE) This role is ideal for a creative, trend-driven designer with experience developing licensed apparel and a strong understanding of the kids’, tween, or junior apparel market. The successful candidate will design and develop fresh, trend-right concepts each season, collaborate cross-functionally to bring products from concept through production, and support the creation of commercially viable assortments that meet customer and market needs.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and develop licensed apparel for Big Girls and Tweens
- Create seasonal CADs and sketches in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to support line presentations and product development
- Collaborate with Senior Designers, Graphic Artists, Product Development, and Technical Design teams to bring concepts to production
- Partner with Sales to ensure assortments align with customer needs and market demand
- Research fashion, retail, and pop culture trends to inspire new concepts and identify opportunities
- Participate in fittings and provide input to maintain design integrity and proper fit
- Communicate with licensors to obtain timely design approvals and ensure brand standards are met
- Review tech packs, lab dips, strike-offs, and fabric qualities for accuracy and quality
- Work with costing and production teams to ensure designs are both creative and cost-effective
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3–5 years of design experience in kids’, tween, or junior apparel
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; strong sketching skills a plus
- Experience with character-licensed apparel such as Disney or Nickelodeon strongly preferred
- Solid knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and embellishments
- Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Must be based in New York City or open to relocation for an onsite role
See All 5 Mid Level Apparel Designer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMid Level Apparel Designer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Fashion & Apparel
Mid Level Apparel Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level apparel designer job?
Position yourself around ownership, not just execution. Highlight collections or categories you led from concept through production, decisions you made on materials or construction, and any cross-functional work with merchandising or production teams. Tailor your portfolio to show the full development arc of two or three projects, and write your resume around outcomes and scope rather than tasks completed.
Which companies hire mid level apparel designers?
Companies hiring mid level apparel designers right now include 24 Seven Talent, Fashion Nova, and Deckers Outdoor Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad range of employers, including established fashion labels, specialty retailers, outdoor and activewear brands, and vertical manufacturers who need designers who can operate independently across the development cycle.
Are there remote mid level apparel designer jobs?
Yes, though the mix varies by employer type and product category. About 20% of mid level apparel designer openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with fully remote roles more common at brands that have centralized design functions and hybrid arrangements most frequent at retailers and manufacturers who rely on in-house sample review and fit sessions.
How do I move up to a mid level apparel designer role?
The transition from entry level to mid level is built on demonstrated ownership. Early-career designers who progress fastest take on end-to-end responsibility for smaller categories, develop fluency in technical design and spec writing, and build a history of seeing product from sketch through production without heavy supervision. Measurable impact, such as reduced sample rounds or on-time delivery improvements, makes the case clearly.
Which industries hire the most mid level apparel designers?
Mid Level apparel designer roles concentrate in Staffing & Recruiting and Fashion & Apparel, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they maintain active seasonal development calendars and need designers who can manage category workloads independently without the ramp-up time required for early-career staff.