Product Designer I

Jewelry CAD Designer

The Opportunity

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.

What You'll Do

CAD Design & Modeling

• 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.

Design for Manufacturing

• 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.

Stone & Component Integration

• 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.

Production Support

• 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.

Quality & Documentation

• 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.

Continuous Improvement

• 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.

What You'll Need

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Professional Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
• Adaptability and willingness to incorporate feedback.

Schedule

Monday through Friday 7:00 AM-3:30 PM

Additional overtime may be required based on demands and business needs.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment operating under strict security, quality, and production standards.
• Metal-free operations environment requiring adherence to company security protocols.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based design work.
• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and CAD software.
• Ability to maintain visual focus on detailed jewelry designs and technical specifications.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.

For more information about us please visit:

Rio Grande is a Metal Free environment within our operations areas.

At Rio Grande, our employees are the heart of our more than 80-year legacy in

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our culture is guided by our 3R principles: Respect,

Responsibility, and Results. We believe in a bias to action mindset that turns ideas into

outcomes and in empowering employees to take initiative, grow through continuous

learning, and making meaningful impacts every day.

Recognized as a 2025 Platinum Award Family Friendly Business, we promote a work-life

balance, clear expectations, and a supportive environment, including quality benefits,

robust wellness resources, and an onsite fitness facility. Through our employee recognition

and community involvement, we celebrate individuality, foster belonging, and ensure every

voice is valued.

A career at Rio Grande offers more than a job. You’ll join a work place where your

contributions matter and your growth is supported. Your work will help shape the future of

the company and support our customers and industry.

Guided by our core values, Rio Grande is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind. As an advocate for equity and equality, we hire, train, and promote qualified people of all backgrounds. We consider employment candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other underrepresented class. We value our associates and have won the yearly Healthiest Places to Work and Family Friendly Business awards on multiple occasions.

The Reward:
Rio Grande provides a generous benefit package for full-time (30+ hours a week) associates that includes:

• 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

Our associates strive for joint accountability. We work together for the success of our stakeholders, and we provide a thoughtful, fun, and creative environment to support them. We encourage professional and personal development through a variety of training opportunities and a focus on promoting from within.

The Company:
Established in 1944, Rio Grande, a Berkshire-Hathaway manufacturer/distributor, has thousands of valued customers around the world. We are a principle-based company with a highly evolved team-based environment. We can show you how a profoundly effective organization lives these values every day. You can find our guiding principles, The 3 R’s, Respect, Responsibility and Results, on our website as well as information about our community support and how we protect the environment.

Within our 186,000 sq. ft., solar-powered facility, with covered parking, Rio Grande has sales, marketing, supply chain, IT and administrative offices, a climate-controlled distribution center with more than 40,000 items, and a comprehensive, well-equipped manufacturing operation. Manufactured products include jewelry-making equipment (from basic tools to highly sophisticated induction casting machines) and jewelry components—both die-struck and cast. Capabilities include CAD/CAM, casting, stamp and form, metal finishing, CNC machining, manual milling, tool & die and electronics/mechanical assembly.