Sr. Manager - Women's Print and Pattern Design (CAD)

Our Story

At Madewell, we believe that great style starts with great design. Since 2006, we’ve been creating premium denim and foundational wardrobe pieces for men and women that balance quality, authenticity, and versatility. From iconic jeans perfected by denim experts to the essential tee, the most versatile shoe, and the timeless leather bag—if it’s Madewell, it’s made well.

Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Sustainability has been celebrated with industry recognition, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable workplace.

The Role + Purpose:

The Senior Manager of Print & Pattern Design leads the CAD development of print, stripes, plaids, graphics, and colorway options across Madewell Women’s apparel and accessories. Part technical expert, part creative collaborator, this role translates seasonal concept, color, and print direction into precise, production-ready artwork that carries from initial development through finished product.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Concept, Color & Pattern, this person brings a strong creative eye and deep technical expertise, partnering closely with Design and Sourcing to ensure accurate, elevated, and on-brand execution across womenswear product.

This role will also be a key creative partner in helping define and evolve Madewell’s print and pattern identity, building a distinctive and recognizable brand language across pattern, color, scale, and technique.

• Partner with the Senior Director of Concept, Color & Pattern to help define and evolve Madewell’s print and pattern identity, bringing a strong point of view on pattern, color, scale, and technique that builds a distinctive and recognizable brand language.

• Lead the CAD illustration and development of print, stripe, plaid, and graphic artworks in colorway options for apparel and accessories each season.

• Translate seasonal concept, color, and print direction into accurate, production-ready CAD artwork and colorway options, staying hands-on from initial illustration through production approval.

• Partner with the Senior Director of Concept, Color & Pattern to explore colorway and pattern variations, contributing a strong creative perspective to the continued development of Madewell’s print and pattern identity.

• Manage the accuracy, consistency, and technical integrity of print, stripe, plaid, and graphic repeats across all colorway iterations, ensuring artwork is ready for handoff to technical design and mills.

• Collaborate with Design, Technical Design, and sourcing/mill partners to ensure prints, patterns, and colorways translate correctly from CAD to finished knit and woven product.

• Manage and mentor CAD designers, building team capabilities in print, stripe, plaid, and graphic artwork development and colorway execution.

• Oversee CAD workflow and seasonal priorities, establishing clear processes and standards that support both creative development and production timelines.

• Stay current on CAD software, colorway tools, and print and pattern techniques for knit and woven apparel, championing new tools and approaches that improve the speed and quality of artwork development.

• Maintain an organized archive of all prints resources to support seasonal development and inform future collections.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in CAD, print, or pattern design within apparel or textiles, with a focus on stripe, plaid, and graphic artwork development for knit and/or woven apparel.

• 2+ years of experience leading, managing, or mentoring designers or CAD artists.

• Expert proficiency in CAD and textile design software (such as NedGraphics or Kaledo) and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for developing repeats, colorways, and production-ready artwork.

• Strong technical knowledge of stripe, plaid, and graphic construction and repeat development across both knit and woven fabrications.

• Exceptional attention to detail and colorway accuracy, with the presentation and communication skills to articulate artwork and colorway decisions to leadership and cross-functional partners.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, colorway iterations, and seasonal deadlines in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.

Preferred:

• Experience designing for women’s apparel, or within an established American lifestyle or denim-rooted brand.

• Familiarity with trend forecasting platforms…