Manufacturing Technology Manager
The Opportunity
Rio Grande is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Technology Manager to lead the technical strategy, optimization, and performance of our tooling and manufacturing technologies. This role serves as the organization's subject matter expert for tool and die operations, CNC machining, wire EDM processes, and manufacturing technology development, ensuring production processes are robust, repeatable, and aligned with quality, cost, and productivity objectives.
As a key leader within our manufacturing organization, you will partner across Engineering, Toolroom, Production, Quality, and Product Development to drive operational excellence, solve complex technical challenges, and advance Rio Grande's manufacturing capabilities through innovation and continuous improvement.
What You'll Do
Lead Tooling Strategy & Die Performance
- Establish and maintain tooling and die standards to support quality, efficiency, and reliability.
- Review and approve die designs, including clearance calculations, strip layouts, and material flow considerations.
- Define preventive maintenance intervals, rebuild standards, and tooling lifecycle strategies.
- Troubleshoot tooling-related production issues including burrs, rollover, die wear, and misfeeds.
- Partner with Toolroom and Production teams to improve die performance and longevity.
- Make recommendations regarding tooling rebuild, refurbishment, or replacement decisions.
Own CNC Machining & Wire EDM Technology
- Establish machining standards including feeds, speeds, tooling selection, and programming best practices.
- Optimize CNC machining processes to improve cycle times while maintaining quality and tool life.
- Develop and standardize Wire EDM strategies, tolerances, wire selection, and cutting methodologies.
- Review and approve first article setups and critical tooling components.
- Drive improvements in machining precision, efficiency, and repeatability.
Drive Process Standardization & Technical Documentation
- Develop and maintain technical standards, SOPs, setup sheets, and work instructions.
- Create and manage tooling design standards, CNC setup documentation, and EDM cutting guidelines.
- Audit adherence to established standards and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Train and mentor technical personnel on best practices and manufacturing standards.
- Reduce process variation through documentation and standardized methodologies.
Provide Production Support & Technical Problem Solving
- Lead root cause investigations related to tooling failures, dimensional variation, process instability, and equipment performance.
- Support production teams during critical downtime events and high-priority manufacturing issues.
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring problems.
- Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Serve as the technical escalation point for complex manufacturing challenges.
Manage Equipment & Technology Strategy
- Evaluate emerging stamping, machining, EDM, automation, and manufacturing technologies.
- Define future-state equipment and capability requirements.
- Lead equipment validation, commissioning, and implementation activities.
- Identify and drive automation opportunities that improve productivity and quality.
- Develop technical recommendations for capital equipment investments.
Provide Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Product Development teams.
- Support production planning through realistic technical constraints and capacity assessments.
- Communicate manufacturing risks, technical limitations, and improvement opportunities.
- Support new product introductions and tooling launches.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
What You'll Need
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing technology, tooling, machine shop operations, or related disciplines.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments.
Extensive hands-on experience with:
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Tool & Die manufacturing, preferably progressive dies
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CNC machining operations
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Wire EDM programming and operation
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Metal forming and manufacturing processes
Technical Knowledge
- Deep understanding of tooling design, maintenance, and performance optimization.
- Strong knowledge of CNC programming principles, cutting mechanics, and machining strategies.
- Expertise in GD&T, precision tolerancing, and dimensional control.
- Understanding of metallurgy and metal behavior during manufacturing processes.
- Experience with root cause analysis methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
- Familiarity with manufacturing KPIs, process capability, and statistical problem-solving techniques.
Leadership Competencies
- Strong technical leadership and decision-making skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive technical initiatives.
- Effective communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in precious metal or specialty metal manufacturing environments.
- Experience implementing automation or advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma knowledge or certification.
- Experience managing technical teams and complex capital projects.
Schedule
- Full-time, Monday- Friday during standard business and manufacturing operating hours
- Occasional extended hours may be required to support critical production issues, equipment implementation, or project deadlines
Working Environment
- This position operates primarily within a manufacturing and production environment, with regular time spent in tooling, machine shop, and production areas.
- Exposure to manufacturing equipment including stamping presses, CNC machines, EDM equipment, and other industrial machinery.
- The role requires collaboration between office, engineering, and production floor environments.
- Rio Grande is a metal-free facility. Compliance with facility security and metal-free workplace requirements is required at all times.
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn as required in designated production areas.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain stationary and work at a computer workstation for extended periods.
- Ability to frequently walk production floors and inspect manufacturing equipment and tooling.
- Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and reach as required during equipment and tooling evaluations.
- Ability to lift and carry items up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to visually inspect tooling components, machined parts, and manufacturing processes, including close-up and detailed inspection work.
For more information about us please visit: www.riogrande.com
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.
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.
