Albuquerque
Job Description Quality Assurance Specialist The Opportunity: The QA Specialist supports the quality assurance function by executing inspections, tests, audits, and documentation to ensure waxes, castings, and polishing processes meet strict size/weight, and visual standards. This role requires flexibility and is a rotating shift between the 1st and 2nd shifts. What You’ll Do: Inspection & Verification • Conduct detailed inspections of raw materials, in-process items, and finished products., • Use measurement tools (calipers, gauges, microscopes, XRF, etc.) to verify compliance., • Record inspection data, test results, and non-conformances accurately., • Maintain electronic and physical quality documentation of what went wrong, how we fixed it, and how we prevent it from happening again., • Identify and document defects or deviations., • Support root cause investigations with production/Quality Lead/Quality Manager., • Ensure adherence to quality procedures, SOPs, and regulatory requirements., • Participate in internal audits of processes and work areas., • Collect and analyze quality data (scrap, rework, defect trends)., • Provide input on opportunities to reduce waste and improve product yield., • Work with production staff to resolve immediate quality issues., • Partner with Quality Manager to verify product designs meet quality standards., • Communicate findings to QA leads and management for decision-making. What You’ll Need: Technical diploma or certificate in: • Jewelry Design or Manufacturing, • Metal Arts or Fine Metals, • Gemology (basic understanding can be a plus), • Industrial Quality Control (general), • Casting processes (lost wax casting, centrifugal casting), • Metallurgy basics, • Quality Assurance / QC standards, • Blueprint or CAD reading, • Use of measurement tools (e.g., calipers, micrometers), • Inspection techniques (visual, magnification, weight, and dimension checks) Environmental/Physical Requirements/Schedule: • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., • Moderate physical activity, sitting, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, reaching, and/or twisting for long periods of time depending on the work area., • Exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises., • Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary; successfully complete pulmonary respirator test to wear N95 mask (required for certain operations), • Schedule: This role requires flexibility and is a rotating shift between the 1st and 2nd shift The successful candidate will enjoy a rewarding, challenging, and principled work environment. For more information about us please visit: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: 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.