CAD Production Designer, High Jewelry

The TWS CAD Production Designer will support all aspects related to TWS projects. Primary responsibility will be on supporting the commercialization of Tiffany & Co. TWS projects while maintaining aesthetic and product integrity. The position will focus on ensuring design and manufacturing integrity throughout the design lifecycle for key and strategic projects flowing through the TWS. The position will include 5 Key Accountabilities including Prototype & File Creation, Communication, Support for Cross Functional Partners, Collaboration & Leadership and Rapid Prototyping. Functions under each Key Accountability will be compliant with Universal PMP Accountabilities (Strategy, Innovation & Creativity; Execution & Product Excellence; Collaboration & Partnerships; and Expertise & Judgment) and Key PMP Accountabilities specific to the position itself, including Formal Training and Advanced Knowledge & Experience.

Responsibilities:

Prototype & File Creation

• The TWS CAD Production Designer will interface with TWS Craft and Stone Setters, as well as Design Creative, Product Development, and Manufacturing on product functionality, and technical design elements including form, style, details and materials.
• The primary function of the TWS CAD Production Designer is to translate Design Concepts into reality
• Plan, create, develop, and/or maintain 3D Finished Goods Level CAD (3D FG WIP, or 3D Soft Prototype CAD) models for new products, existing products (reverse engineering), line extensions, and custom jewelry
• Ensure ALL models created are in keeping with modeling best practices and manufacturing standards (e.g., closed solid objects, minimal object density, model/structure organization, etc.)
• Create, maintain and organize 2-D, 3-D shared design standards, specifications and templates across all product families . Prepare engineering and design materials in compliance with archiving procedures. Archive appropriately, organize and maintain shared files
• Plan, create, and prepare Finished Good Drawings, and associated technical illustrations for new product concepts, existing products (reverse engineering), line extensions, and custom jewelry
• In consultation with TWS Jewellers and Stone Setters, and Engineers, provide initial CAD direction on component breakout, construction, and methods of fabrication for the Critical Requirements Document
• Provide timely and innovative CAD solutions to complex mechanical problems, at any point in the production life-cycle
• Create multiple sized 3D FG WIP CAD models and multiple color ways based on Designer artwork and project direction to achieve critical requirements

Communication

• Establish and monitor individual time-lines, and ensure adherence to overall project timelines and accurate completion of projects. Identify and communicate potential barriers to meeting completion timelines as soon as they arise
• Responsible for updating workflow tracking documents and reporting on overall project status in various documents and face to face meetings
• Communicate effectively to keep team updated on project status, issues, and concerns. Identify potential barriers to meeting completion timelines as soon as they arise
• Proactively flag critical issues for consideration that may impact design and/or design aesthetic when creating and transferring 3D FGL-CAD models, and at any point in the production life-cycle
• Proactively flag critical issues for consideration that may impact manufacturing and/or quality of final product (e.g., meeting of tolerances, reliability between 3D FG WIP CAD and final product) when creating and transferring 3D FG WIP CAD models, and at any point in the production life-cycle

Support for Cross Functional Partners

• Partner with the Design team and Product Development to oversee process from concept design through final product delivery to meet creative and business needs
• Interface with Director, Manager, Designers and cross-functional departments on project direction, review of Concept Art / CAD timelines and issues
• Attend and actively participate in departmental meetings with management to identify new and/or updated standards and template needs
• Proactively communicate risks and opportunities to all relevant TWS counterparts
• Support internal and external suppliers as needed by the project team to demonstrate product requirements and techniques

Collaboration & Leadership

• Ensure accurate and timely input to Critical Requirement documents
• Partner with PD, Design and MFG partners on technical aspects of development.
• Support TWS project team according to project needs and lead related CAD discussions
• Collaborate with TWS Project Team to provide direction during prototyping phases and align support for Design and Product Development teams; including but not limited to annotated images, CAD overlays, technical specifications product comparison analysis/comparative documents

Rapid Prototyping

• Interface with other TWS CAD Production Designers to coordinate CAD for 3D printing
• Assist in the maintenance of the rapid prototyping lab equipment, communicate and handle service issues if needed
• Perform rapid prototype setup using a variety of 3D printing technologies (SLA, Polymer Jetting, etc.), manage post processing of 3D prints
• Communicate printing supplies and material needs to Management, organize printing supplies, and material ordering. Facilitate waste removal

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or diploma in Jewelry Design, Jewlery Arts, Industrial, Architectural, or Fashion Design, or Engineering
• Significant CAD and model making training and experience (with at least 5-8 years of hands-on model making)
• Expert skill-set, with high effectiveness and efficiency in Rhino (grasshopper experience is heavily preferred), and/or SolidWorks, T-Splines, Z-Brush, Modo
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite and all Microsoft packages
• Manufacturing knowledge of jewelry and/or other related industries
• Significant experience building, repairing, and troubleshooting metalsmithing/materials manufacturing processes while maintaining design integrity
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong team player with a high level of professionalism
• Ability to adapt and meet urgent timelines under high demand conditions.
• Must be able to interpret scientific, technical, and aesthetic documents

Preferred Qualifications:

• Formal goldsmithing and/or metalsmithing training

• Experience as a bench jeweler

• Formal gem- and diamond-setting training and experience

• Industry Certification