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.
$120K - $180K *
Shape the visual identity of two distinct brands by designing impactful sales assets, web pages, and social graphics. Collaborate closely with marketing and sales teams to elevate brand presence in th...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer, Installation
$116K - $170K *
Champion electrical engineering excellence by leading installation standards, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvement in warehouse systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to e...
5 days ago
$235K - $294K *
Champion user-centric design by leading a talented team to enhance product experiences. Collaborate with stakeholders and customers to drive innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency an...
2 days ago
$157K - $207K *
Shape the future of biology by leading creative initiatives that elevate our brand. Collaborate closely with leadership to craft compelling narratives and visuals, while managing a growing team and bu...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior/Staff Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Empower innovation by designing and scaling backend services for an AI platform. Lead initiatives in automation, reliability, and performance while mentoring a talented team to enhance system architec...
6 days ago
$90K - $137K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic team focused on cloud migration. Leverage your expertise in database engineering to assess, migrate, and optimize databases in Azure and AWS environments, ensu...
1 week ago
$188K - $245K *
Shape innovative user experiences by leading design initiatives, mentoring teams, and driving strategic solutions in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate across functions to elevate design quality an...
Reposted 5 days ago
$122K - $136K *
Innovate cutting-edge optical systems by designing, developing, and testing advanced photonic technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and ensure compliance...
1 week ago
Staff Design Engineer, IC Layout
$136K - $204K *
Join a dynamic team shaping the future of RFID technology through detailed layout design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance power efficiency and reliability, ensuring high-quality sil...
4 days ago
Staff Systems Engineer - Architecture & Interfaces
$165K - $220K *
Join a team that's redefining avionics systems engineering by translating customer needs into innovative architectures and requirements. Collaborate across domains to deliver high-quality solutions in...
1 week ago
$130K - $153K *
Champion innovative design solutions by leveraging AI tools to enhance product usability and streamline workflows. Collaborate closely with teams to prototype, test, and ship high-quality user experie...
3 days ago
$150K - $170K *
Transform quality assurance by leading testing efforts for in-app purchases and subscriptions, enhancing the mobile app experience through collaboration and innovative testing strategies within a dyna...
2 days ago
Senior Data Center Commissioning Engineer
$130K - $171K *
Lead the charge in building and executing a comprehensive commissioning program for Modular Data Centers, ensuring optimal performance from factory testing to operational handover while collaborating...
1 week ago
$120K - $160K *
Innovate technical architecture for retail planning solutions, leading design and implementation. Collaborate with teams to ensure scalable, secure integrations and optimize customer deployments while...
1 week ago
Technical Architect Contractor
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your Salesforce expertise to design, build, and review secure, scalable solutions. Collaborate with clients and teams to ensure seamless integrations and effective deliv...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Solar and Storage
$95K - $115K *
Lead solar resource assessments and performance analytics for utility-scale projects. Engage with clients, optimize energy yield, and enhance methodologies while ensuring operational excellence in sol...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Engineer innovative mobile applications using AI tools, collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance user experience in the aviation and aerospace sectors while adhering to Agile methodologies and bes...
5 days ago
$150K *
Champion the design and development of engaging public-facing websites, ensuring a seamless user experience while establishing scalable systems for content management and collaboration across teams to...
3 weeks ago
Integration Engineering Architect
$150K - $180K *
Optimize integration solutions by developing APIs and microservices, ensuring seamless connectivity across systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into functional designs whil...
1 week ago
Sr. Mechanical Engineer | Data Center
$120K - $160K *
Empower innovation in mission-critical mechanical engineering, guiding teams and clients in data center solutions. Leverage expertise to enhance project outcomes and foster collaboration across discip...
Yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Transform customer data integration strategies by leveraging your expertise to guide clients in optimizing data flow into the Fusion platform, ensuring reliability and value across complex environment...
5 days ago
Virtual Construction - Sr. BIM Coordinator
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's redefining the future of BIM coordination in electrical projects. Lead the management of BIM processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance throughout design and construction phases wh...
6 days ago
Development Manager (Solventum)
$125K - $172K *
Build innovative healthcare solutions by leading cross-functional teams, driving agile development, and ensuring project alignment with strategic goals while fostering a culture of collaboration and c...
Today
Associate Director, Business Development (Creative Tools, Game Development, and Learning)
$110K - $155K *
Unlock potential by leading strategic partnerships in Creative Software Licensing. Drive growth through innovative deals, build relationships with developers, and shape the future of digital tools for...
2 weeks ago
Designer - Instrument, Controls, and Electrical (ICE)
$80K - $110K *
Shape the future of electric power generation by designing innovative instrumentation and control systems. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver advanced solutions and lead projects that enhance e...
6 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.