Product Designer I

Rio Grande•Albuquerque, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Join a dynamic, high-volume custom jewelry manufacturing environment where your expertise in CAD design will directly impact product quality, customer satisfaction, and manufacturing efficiency. As a Jewelry CAD Designer, you will transform customer concepts, sketches, and specifications into accurate, production-ready 3D models that support casting, fabrication, stone setting, assembly, and finishing operations. This role plays a critical part in ensuring designs are both aesthetically exceptional and manufacturable while meeting quality standards and production timelines.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience in jewelry CAD design and 3D modeling.
Proficiency with jewelry CAD software such as Rhino, MatrixGold, 3Design, JewelCAD, or similar platforms.
Proficiency with 3D Printing specific to spring and grow plate layouts
Strong knowledge of jewelry construction and manufacturing processes.
Understanding of gemstone shapes, dimensions, setting methods, and material properties.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
Strong computer, file management, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Formal education in Jewelry Design, CAD Modeling, Engineering, Product Design, or a related field.
Experience designing for casting, fabrication, and stone setting operations.
Experience working within a high-volume custom manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of precious metals, manufacturing tolerances, shrinkage factors, and finishing allowances.

Responsibilities

Create detailed and accurate 3D jewelry models utilizing approved CAD software.
Develop rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, chains, findings, components, and custom jewelry designs.
Interpret sketches, renderings, photographs, specifications, measurements, and verbal design instructions.
Build models with appropriate tolerances, dimensions, wall thicknesses, clearances, and structural integrity.
Modify existing designs while preserving design intent and production requirements.
Create design variations, alternate sizes, stone configurations, and customer-specific modifications.
Ensure all designs are optimized for manufacturing processes including: Wax and resin printing, Casting, Fabrication, Stone setting, Assembly, Finishing.
Incorporate appropriate metal thicknesses, stone seats, prongs, channels, solder joints, and assembly clearances.
Identify manufacturability risks and resolve potential issues before designs are released to production.
Collaborate with manufacturing teams to address design challenges and improve production outcomes.
Integrate gemstones, findings, and components according to design specifications.
Verify stone dimensions, spacing, orientation, and setting requirements.
Ensure settings are designed appropriately for stone size, shape, security, and manufacturing methods.
Prepare production-ready CAD files according to company standards.
Support manufacturing teams with design modifications and technical troubleshooting.
Implement corrections identified during prototyping, casting, fabrication, stone setting, or finishing processes.
Assist in resolving recurring design and manufacturing issues.
Review designs for accuracy, completeness, and manufacturability before release.
Maintain CAD file naming conventions, revision control, and documentation standards.
Document design changes and customer-specific requirements.
Participate in CAD and production audits as required.
Identify opportunities to improve CAD standards, workflows, libraries, and templates.
Develop reusable design components and standardized features.
Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Value Stream teams to eliminate recurring design defects and improve overall efficiency.

Benefits

Medical plan with low premium rates and no high deductible (includes dental and vision) and telemedicine
401(k) matching program
Paid time-off benefits, plus an additional seven paid holidays
Paid life insurance and optional additional life insurance
Long-term and short-term disability
Flexible spending account
Pet insurance
Tuition reimbursement
On-site gym and company wellness program
Bereavement leave
Employee discounts at Rio Grande
Local and national discounts on various travel and entertainment
Competitive compensation, including an opportunity to share in the profits