SENIOR CAD DESIGNER / CAD TEAM LEADER

Al Zain; Manama; On-site; BHD 25,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Al Zain Jewellery in Manama, Bahrain, seeks a Senior CAD Designer / CAD Team Leader to translate creative concepts into production-ready 3D jewellery models. You will lead the CAD team, drive standards, and collaborate with Design, Product Development and Production to deliver precise, manufacturable pieces.

The ideal candidate has 8–12+ years of jewellery CAD experience, strong Rhino 3D/MatrixGold skills, and a proven ability to mentor junior designers while balancing creativity with technical

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of jewellery CAD experience.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Experience with High Jewellery designs preferred.
• Proven ability to translate sketches to production-ready models.
• Excellent attention to detail and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Create accurate 3D CAD models for 18K/21K/High Jewellery.
• Translate sketches into production-ready CAD.
• Lead and review CAD Designers and set standards.
• Collaborate with Designers, Product Development and Production.
• Ensure manufacturability and tolerance guidance.

Skills

CAD leadership

3D CAD modelling

Rhino 3D

MatrixGold

Tools

Rhino 3D

MatrixGold

Job description

TURN JEWELLERY DESIGN INTO PRECISION

At Al Zain Jewellery, craftsmanship has been at the heart of our Maison since 1930.

As we enter our next chapter of growth, we are strengthening the technical capabilities behind our jewellery creation and looking for an experienced Senior CAD Designer / CAD Team Leader to join our team in Bahrain.

This is an opportunity for a highly skilled jewellery CAD professional who combines creative understanding, technical precision and leadership capability,someone who can translate creative concepts into technically accurate, production-ready jewellery models while helping establish and raise CAD standards across the organization.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior CAD Designer / CAD Team Leader will play a key role between Design, Product Development and Production, ensuring that jewellery concepts are transformed into precise, manufacturable and commercially viable 3D models.

The role will also provide technical leadership to the CAD team, establishing standards, reviewing output, developing team capability and ensuring consistency across projects.

You will work closely with Designers, Product Development, Production, Gemology and other technical teams to bring Al Zain creations from concept to reality.

YOUR MANDATE

Jewellery CAD Design & Development

• Create highly accurate 3D CAD models for jewellery across 18K, 21K and High Jewellery collections.
• Translate sketches, concepts and design references into detailed and production-ready 3D models.
• Develop complex jewellery structures, settings, mechanisms and components while maintaining design integrity.
• Ensure models are technically feasible and suitable for manufacturing.
• Interpret design intent while making appropriate technical recommendations where required.
• Develop variations, modifications and technical iterations based on design and production requirements.

Technical Excellence

• Ensure CAD models meet Al Zain's required standards for accuracy, quality, proportion and manufacturability.
• Review designs for technical feasibility, stone setting, metal thickness, tolerances, assembly and production requirements.
• Identify potential manufacturing challenges at the CAD development stage and propose practical solutions.
• Maintain strong attention to detail across complex and high-value jewellery pieces.
• Support the development of technical CAD standards, guidelines and best practices.

CAD Team Leadership

• Lead, guide and review the work of CAD Designers.
• Allocate projects according to workload, complexity and team capability.
• Review CAD outputs before submission to the next stage of development.
• Establish consistent modelling standards and quality expectations across the team.
• Coach and develop junior and mid-level CAD Designers.
• Identify capability gaps and recommend technical training and development.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Design & Product Collaboration

• Work closely with Jewellery Designers to understand creative intent and translate it accurately into CAD.
• Collaborate with Product Development to ensure designs meet commercial and production requirements.
• Partner with Production and manufacturing specialists to optimise designs for efficient execution.
• Work with Gemology and stone-setting teams where required to ensure appropriate stone dimensions, settings and construction.
• Participate in design reviews and technical development meetings.

Production Readiness

• Prepare accurate CAD files and technical outputs required for prototyping and manufacturing.
• Support prototype development and resolve technical issues identified during production.
• Review and modify models based on casting, setting, assembly, finishing and manufacturing feedback.
• Maintain accurate version control and documentation throughout the development process.
• Support continuous improvement in the transition from CAD to production.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• CAD accuracy and technical quality
• Production-ready models delivered within agreed timelines
• Reduction of CAD-related production issues and rework
• Quality and consistency of jewellery models
• Successful development of complex and High Jewellery pieces
• Efficient CAD workflow and project turnaround
• Consistent application of CAD standards
• Team productivity and capability development
• Effective collaboration between Design, Product Development and Production
• Continuous improvement of CAD processes and technical standards

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a senior jewellery CAD professional with strong technical capability, an eye for design and the confidence to lead a team.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 8-12+ years of professional jewellery CAD experience, preferably within a fine jewellery or High Jewellery environment.
• Proven experience creating complex and production-ready jewellery models.
• Strong experience with professional jewellery CAD software such as Rhino 3D, MatrixGold or equivalent platforms.
• Strong understanding of jewellery construction, manufacturing processes and stone setting.
• Experience working with gold, precious stones and complex jewellery structures.
• Strong understanding of tolerances, metal thickness, weight optimisation and manufacturability.
• Experience developing High Jewellery and/or technically complex pieces is highly desirable.
• Previous experience mentoring, supervising or leading CAD Designers.
• Strong ability to interpret hand sketches, design concepts and technical references.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong three-dimensional visualisation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• A practical, solution-oriented and quality-driven mindset.
• Ability to balance creativity with technical and commercial requirements.