Product Designer I

Rio Grande; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan with low premiums

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) matching program

Paid holidays

On-site gym

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rio Grande in Albuquerque is seeking a jewelry CAD designer to create production-ready 3D models for custom jewelry manufacturing. You will interpret sketches and instructions, design rings, earrings, pendants, and components, and optimize for manufacturability through tolerances and clearances.

The role requires experience with Rhino, MatrixGold, 3Design, or JewelCAD, and a solid understanding of jewelry construction and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in jewelry CAD design and 3D modeling.
• Proficiency with jewelry CAD tools such as Rhino, MatrixGold, 3Design, JewelCAD, or similar.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed, accurate 3D jewelry models using approved CAD software.
• Design and model rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, chains, findings, components, and custom jewelry.
• Interpret sketches, renderings, photographs, specifications, measurements, and verbal design instructions.
• Build models with correct tolerances, dimensions, wall thicknesses, and clearances.
• Revise existing designs while preserving design intent and production requirements.
• Create design variations, alternate sizes, stone configurations, and customer-specific modifications.
• Optimize designs for manufacturing workflows: wax and resin printing, casting, fabrication, stone setting, assembly, finishing.
• Identify manufacturability risks and resolve issues before releasing designs to production.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to address design challenges and improve production outcomes.
• Integrate gemstones, findings, and components per design specs.
• Confirm stone requirements: dimensions, spacing, orientation, and setting needs.
• Ensure settings support stone size, shape, security, and manufacturing method.
• Prepare production-ready CAD files following company standards.
• Support manufacturing with design changes and technical troubleshooting.
• Implement corrections found during prototyping, casting, fabrication, stone setting, or finishing.
• Help resolve 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.
• 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 efficiency.

Skills

Jewelry CAD design

3D modeling

Rhino

MatrixGold

3Design

JewelCAD

Attention to detail

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Rhino

MatrixGold

3Design

JewelCAD

3D Printing

Job description

Join Rio Grande in Albuquerque as a jewelry CAD designer focused on accurate, production-ready 3D models for custom jewelry manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed, accurate 3D jewelry models using approved CAD software.


• Design and model rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, chains, findings, components, and custom jewelry.


• Interpret sketches, renderings, photographs, specifications, measurements, and verbal design instructions.


• Build models using correct tolerances, dimensions, wall thicknesses, and clearances to support structural integrity.


• Revise existing designs while preserving design intent and production requirements.


• Create design variations, alternate sizes, stone configurations, and customer-specific modifications.


• Optimize designs for manufacturing workflows: wax and resin printing, casting, fabrication, stone setting, assembly, finishing.


• Apply appropriate metal thicknesses, stone seats, prongs, channels, solder joints, and assembly clearances.


• Identify manufacturability risks and resolve potential issues before releasing designs to production.


• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to address design challenges and improve production outcomes.


• Integrate gemstones, findings, and components in line with design specifications.


• Confirm stone requirements: dimensions, spacing, orientation, and setting needs.


• Ensure settings support the stone’s size, shape, security, and manufacturing method.


• Prepare production-ready CAD files following company standards.


• Support manufacturing with design changes and technical troubleshooting.


• Implement corrections found during prototyping, casting, fabrication, stone setting, or finishing.


• Help resolve 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 required CAD and production audits.


• 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 efficiency.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• Experience in jewelry CAD design and 3D modeling.


• Proficiency with jewelry CAD tools 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.

Technologies

• Rhino


• MatrixGold


• 3Design


• JewelCAD


• 3D Printing

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 in 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.


• Effective communication and collaboration skills.


• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment.


• 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

• Onsite role in a manufacturing environment 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 for 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.

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 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.