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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Knitwear Technician Intern

💰 $ - $

FashionApparelTechnical DesignTextile ScienceInternshipProduct Development

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Knitwear Technician Intern is an essential support role bridging the gap between creative knitwear design and tangible, producible garments. This position provides a hands-on learning experience in the technical aspects of knitwear development, from initial concept to final sample approval. The intern works closely with the Knitwear Technical Designers and Developers to ensure that every sweater, cardigan, and knitted accessory meets the brand's stringent standards for quality, fit, and construction. This role is pivotal for maintaining the integrity of the design vision while navigating the complexities of yarn, machinery, and production, offering an unparalleled foundation for a career in technical apparel design.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • A current student or recent graduate from a Fashion Design or Textile Science program.
  • An individual with personal or academic experience in machine or hand knitting.
  • An intern or assistant from a related field like Materials or Product Development.

Advancement To:

  • Assistant/Associate Knitwear Technician
  • Junior Technical Designer (Knitwear Focus)
  • Knitwear Product Developer

Lateral Moves:

  • Materials Sourcing Assistant (Yarn & Trim)
  • Product Development Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist in the creation and meticulous maintenance of technical packages (tech packs), including detailed garment measurements, construction notes, and knit structure specifications.
  • Take ownership of the physical and digital knitwear sample library, ensuring all incoming development samples, swatches, and mock-ups are properly logged, tagged, and organized.
  • Measure and critically evaluate all incoming knitwear samples against the tech pack specifications, documenting any discrepancies in fit, measurement, and construction for review.
  • Prepare garments and necessary documentation for weekly fit sessions, ensuring samples are properly steamed, presented on the correct form or model, and ready for evaluation.
  • Actively participate in fit sessions by taking detailed notes, capturing clear photos of on-model issues, and assisting the technical designer in communicating revisions.
  • Support the yarn development process by organizing the yarn library, requesting yarn cards from mills, and preparing yarn windings for seasonal color palettes.
  • Collaborate with the design team to translate creative concepts into technical language, helping to develop initial knit-down swatches to explore texture and stitch feasibility.
  • Maintain and update the Bill of Materials (BOM) within the PLM system, ensuring all yarn qualities, trim details, and material yields are accurately recorded.
  • Manage the daily tracking of all knitwear samples, updating status charts and WIP (Work in Progress) reports to ensure visibility on development timelines for the cross-functional team.
  • Assist in the lab dip and knit-down approval process, organizing submissions from vendors and preparing them for color and quality evaluation against brand standards.
  • Conduct market research on innovative knitting techniques, new yarn technologies, and competitor product offerings to contribute fresh ideas to the team.
  • Help create and issue detailed sample comments to overseas vendors and factories, clearly communicating all required revisions with supporting images and technical sketches.
  • Operate in-house knitting machinery (such as Shima Seiki or Stoll) to create experimental swatches and test new stitch structures or yarn combinations under supervision.
  • Support the handover process from development to production, helping to ensure that all final tech packs and approved samples are complete and accurate.
  • Create and maintain visual line sheets and presentation boards with updated sample images and product information for key seasonal meetings.
  • Perform basic quality control checks on pre-production samples, looking for potential issues in finishing, linking, and overall garment quality.
  • Assist in building and maintaining a digital library of knit stitches, structures, and garment details for future season reference.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the team by compiling seasonal analysis reports on sample approval rates, development timelines, and vendor performance metrics.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the digital asset management system for knit structures, yarn qualities, and technical sketches.
  • Collaborate with the Design and Merchandising teams to understand creative intent and assortment needs, translating them into technical considerations.
  • Participate actively in weekly team meetings and cross-functional check-ins to review development calendars, address roadblocks, and troubleshoot sample issues.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed technical flats and construction diagrams, and Photoshop for photo editing.
  • Microsoft Excel: Advanced ability to create and manage complex spec sheets, measurement charts, and tracking documents.
  • Knitwear Fundamentals: A solid understanding of knit structures (jersey, rib, jacquard, intarsia), yarn types, gauges, and machine capabilities.
  • Garment Construction: Foundational knowledge of how knitted garments are assembled, including linking, finishing, and pressing techniques.
  • Accurate Measuring: The ability to take precise and consistent garment measurements using a measuring tape, adhering to standard industry practices.
  • PLM Software: Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems is highly advantageous for data entry and tech pack management.
  • Knitting Machine Operation: Basic experience or a strong willingness to learn programming and operation of industrial knitting machines (e.g., Shima Seiki, Stoll) is a significant plus.
  • Technical Sketching: The ability to draw clean, accurate, and proportioned technical flats that clearly communicate design and construction details.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and precise approach to work, especially when dealing with measurements, data entry, and quality evaluation.
  • Organizational Prowess: Superb ability to manage multiple tasks, organize physical and digital assets, and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proactive Problem-Solving: An inquisitive and solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to anticipate issues and propose effective solutions.
  • Clear Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for articulating technical feedback and collaborating effectively with the team and vendors.
  • Collaborative Spirit: A positive, team-player attitude with a willingness to support colleagues and contribute to a shared-goal environment.
  • Eagerness to Learn: A genuine passion for knitwear and a strong desire to absorb technical knowledge and grow within the role.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently pursuing or recently completed an Associate's or Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Design (with a knitwear concentration)
  • Textile Science / Textile Technology
  • Apparel Product Development
  • Technical Design

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-1 years of related experience.

Preferred:

  • Prior internship experience within a corporate fashion or textile company. A portfolio that clearly demonstrates knitwear projects, swatch development, or technical design work is highly encouraged.
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