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.
$83K - $110K *
Drive innovative mechanical design solutions for custom equipment and systems, transforming concepts into detailed 2D and 3D designs. Collaborate with teams to ensure manufacturability, safety, and ef...
1 week ago
Lead Product Designer - Design Systems
$185K - $230K *
Elevate the user experience by defining and governing scalable design systems that bridge UX and engineering, ensuring cohesive, accessible digital interfaces across platforms and devices...
Reposted 1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of rail vehicles by designing innovative structures and components. Leverage your expertise in 3D CAD and materials to create efficient, compliant designs that en...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Optimize structural design processes by leading CAD efforts, developing composite and metallic structures, and collaborating with engineering teams to enhance model management and drafting standards f...
4 weeks ago
Senior Electronic CAD Designer
$79K - $138K *
Transform your career by designing complex printed wiring boards, collaborating with engineers, and enhancing manufacturability. Leverage your expertise in CAD tools to drive innovative solutions in a...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Advance design excellence by creating and documenting Nacelle components, collaborating across functions, and driving engineering changes to enhance product quality and efficiency in a dynamic aerospa...
3 weeks ago
Sr Designer & Product Developer
$95K - $115K *
Create exceptional baby and lifestyle soft goods by driving design from concept to production. Collaborate closely with suppliers, manage product details, and elevate brand identity through innovative...
Reposted 2 days ago
$140K - $180K *
Shape the future of kidswear design by leading a creative team, developing innovative concepts, and collaborating with clients to deliver exceptional products that inspire and engage young audiences...
3 weeks ago
AV System Designer/Drafter (AV/Lights/Shades/Control)
$90K - $100K *
Transform luxury residential AV systems by designing and drafting innovative solutions. Collaborate with sales and clients to enhance user experiences through technology, ensuring seamless integration...
6 days ago
Technical Lead, 3D Visualization
$110K - $130K *
Innovate the future of property viewing technology by leading the design and development of advanced 3D visualization solutions. Drive the entire product lifecycle while mentoring a talented team and...
3 weeks ago
Medical Planner - Architecture
$70K - $135K *
Unlock your potential by collaborating with healthcare leaders to design innovative planning solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Join a dynamic team dedicated to transformi...
3 weeks ago
Medical Planner - Architecture
$70K - $135K *
Shape the future of healthcare design by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative planning solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency in medical facilities...
3 weeks ago
Medical Planner - Architecture
$70K - $135K *
Advance healthcare design by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create innovative planning solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency in evolving medical environments...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Explore opportunities as a Design Engineer III, leading mechanical design for outdoor power equipment. Drive innovation from concept to production, ensuring robust, manufacturable designs while collab...
2 weeks ago
Design Manager Mechanical and Process Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading multidisciplinary design teams in mechanical engineering projects. Oversee the development of innovative gas processing systems while ensuring compliance with industry stan...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Empower growth in Lifesciences by identifying new business opportunities, engaging clients, and driving sales strategies. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions and build lasting relat...
1 week ago
Frontend / WebGL Graphics Engineer
$135K - $175K *
Elevate visualization technology by enhancing a custom WebGL2 engine for real-time EEG data. Collaborate with experts to optimize performance and create interactive 3D brain models, ensuring precise a...
1 week ago
Structural Designer - Industrial Projects
$80K - $90K *
Engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration to transform concepts into innovative structural designs. Leverage advanced technology and mentorship to enhance your creative and technical skills while sha...
Today
Structural Designer - Industrial Projects
$80K - $90K *
Drive innovative design solutions that shape critical infrastructure globally. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance project success while promoting sustainable and resilient environments through...
Today
$250K - $500K+*
Help us enhance hardware development by evolving tools and languages, improving compiler efficiency, and fostering collaboration among engineers to drive innovation and productivity in our projects...
2 weeks ago
$250K - $500K+*
Drive innovation by collaborating with hardware teams to enhance tools, evolve compilers, and improve developer experiences, ensuring efficient and effective hardware design processes...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in user experience design, mentoring teams and driving innovative solutions for complex government programs. Shape UX strategy, enhance workflows, and advocate for end users across mul...
1 week ago
Senior Site Civil BIM Designer
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative site civil design solutions while collaborating with a multi-discipline team to produce high-quality construction documents for diverse clients, ensuring adherence to standards and...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Engineer innovative CAD models for high-speed connectors, collaborating with product development teams. Utilize advanced Creo techniques to enhance design efficiency and accuracy while participating i...
1 week ago
$190K - $284K *
Pioneer the future of visual design for innovative AR technologies, shaping and executing a bold design strategy. Collaborate across teams, lead a talented group of designers, and set industry standar...
Reposted 1 week 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.