3D designers turn concepts into compelling digital and physical experiences. They create models, environments, animations, and visualizations for industries such as technology, entertainment, architecture, product design, advertising, and manufacturing. Explore vetted 3D Designer opportunities on Ladders, including roles with compensation of $100,000 or more.
Responsibilities vary by industry and employer, but often include building and refining 3D models, developing textures and materials, lighting and rendering scenes, creating animations, and preparing assets for production. Designers may collaborate with art directors, engineers, product teams, animators, and clients to translate briefs and technical requirements into polished visual work.
Employers commonly seek strong visual design fundamentals, spatial reasoning, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly. Depending on the role, useful experience may include 3D modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, rendering, real-time workflows, and visualization. Tools vary across teams and may include Blender, Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, ZBrush, or real-time engines such as Unreal Engine.
3D designers can specialize in areas such as product visualization, architectural visualization, character and environment art, motion design, virtual production, or interactive experiences. With experience, professionals may advance to senior designer, lead artist, art director, or other creative leadership roles. Requirements and compensation depend on specialization, experience, location, and employer.
Browse Ladders for vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Explore 3D Designer listings, compare role requirements, and discover opportunities that align with your creative strengths and career goals.
Substation Physical Design Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of electrical power systems by designing innovative substation layouts and construction packages. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with industry standards...
Reposted 3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead network engineering efforts to enhance tactical capabilities in air defense systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure secure information exchange and compliance across all phase...
3 weeks ago
Director, Dealers and Design - Central
$110K - $154K *
Champion growth by leading strategic sales initiatives in the residential dealer segment. Collaborate with teams to develop territory plans, drive business development, and mentor field sales represen...
2 weeks ago
$137K - $176K *
Transform data governance by designing and managing semantic layers that enhance analytics and reporting. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent definitions and usability across...
2 weeks ago
Strategic Sourcing & Cost Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Transform the sourcing landscape by leading cost reduction initiatives, developing strategic supplier partnerships, and driving value engineering efforts to optimize material costs and enhance product...
6 days ago
Senior Clinical Database Designer
$100K - $140K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance clinical database design, driving efficiency and innovation in data management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and quality in clinical tria...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $175K *
Elevate your career by managing innovative IT projects, leading Agile teams, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance system solutions. Drive client satisfaction through effective project delive...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $175K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative technology solutions by managing Agile projects, guiding teams through the full development lifecycle, and ensuring high client satisfaction through effective...
1 week ago
$190K - $320K *
Champion the integration of art and technology by leading the animation pipeline, enhancing character rigging and motion solutions, and driving innovation in AI workflows for immersive gaming experien...
4 days ago
Staff Systems Engineering - CoSim Architecture and Virtual Integration
$137K - $203K *
Drive the architecture for a scalable co-simulation ecosystem, integrating software and models across vehicle domains. Collaborate with teams to establish standards, improve platform capabilities, and...
2 days ago
$180K - $252K *
Shape the future of advertising on a leading platform by designing intuitive tools and experiences that empower businesses while enhancing user engagement and trust within the community...
2 days ago
$110K - $114K *
Lead the charge in modernizing critical web applications by refactoring legacy systems and migrating to AWS. Collaborate with a DevSecOps team to ensure secure, high-performance solutions that support...
1 week ago
Manager - Software Development Engineering S 4D
$80K - $100K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of developers to deliver high-quality software solutions, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving strategic project initiatives while fostering a cultur...
2 weeks ago
$172K - $222K *
Pioneer innovative production techniques as you lead creative projects from concept to delivery. Collaborate with teams to explore AI-driven methods while ensuring exceptional quality across diverse f...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer (Contractor)
$110K - $130K *
Build innovative technology solutions for Equity Portfolio Management. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance functionality and maintain high software quality, while leveraging modern practices and...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Principal Analog Layout Design Engineer/Lead
$150K - $180K *
Innovate by leading the layout design of complex analog/mixed-signal IP blocks, ensuring first-pass silicon success. Collaborate with cross-functional teams while mentoring junior engineers in a fast...
4 days ago
Principal Analog Layout Design Engineer/Lead
$150K - $180K *
Innovate in high-speed analog layout design, leading complex IP block development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure silicon success while mentoring junior engineers in a dynamic, fast...
4 days ago
Principal Analog Layout Design Engineer/Lead
$150K - $180K *
Lead the design of complex analog/mixed-signal layouts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance outcomes. Mentor junior engineers while driving innovative solutions in a f...
4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to implement VDC standards for mechanical systems, collaborating with contractors and designers to enhance operational efficiency and uphold quality across multiple projects...
Reposted 6 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's leading the modernization of a legacy system. Drive architectural decisions, enhance engineering practices, and foster a culture of innovation while ensuring reliable delivery and c...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $126K *
Elevate AI capabilities by building and maintaining governed solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to translate business needs into technical designs, ensuring ethical AI use and robust integratio...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of product design by transforming concepts into high-fidelity experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user interactions through innovative prototyping and AI-a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$130K - $160K *
Optimize patient-facing and internal tools by delivering seamless integrations and AI-driven features. Take ownership of end-to-end development in a fast-paced telehealth environment focused on men's...
1 week ago
$100K - $150K *
Join our dynamic team as a Senior Engine Programmer, where you'll design and optimize core game engine systems, collaborating with external developers to enhance performance across multiple games. You...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Champion innovative software architectures that drive business success. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design secure, scalable solutions while guiding engineering practices and ensuring al...
2 days ago
What does a 3D designer do?
A 3D designer creates digital models, scenes, animations, and visualizations. The work may support products, architecture, games, film, advertising, or other experiences, depending on the employer.
What skills are important for 3D designer jobs?
Commonly valued skills include 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, visual design, spatial reasoning, collaboration, and clear communication. Specific requirements differ by role and industry.
Which software do 3D designers use?
Tools vary by specialty and team. Common examples include Blender, Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, ZBrush, and Unreal Engine.
What industries hire 3D designers?
3D designers work across technology, entertainment, architecture, product design, advertising, manufacturing, and other fields that use three-dimensional visualization or digital content.
Can 3D designers find jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Yes. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including opportunities that may suit experienced 3D designers. Compensation depends on factors such as experience, specialty, location, and employer.