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.
$81K - $111K *
Unlock your creative potential by collaborating with a dynamic team to develop impactful visuals for high-profile retail campaigns across multiple channels, ensuring alignment with client goals and in...
Yesterday
$81K - $111K *
Transform visual storytelling for high-profile retail clients. Collaborate with creative leads to develop compelling visuals across social media, email, and more. Elevate brand presence through innova...
Yesterday
$135K - $230K *
Drive the identity strategy for Latis, overseeing integration across multiple teams, defining requirements and roadmap for identity products, and ensuring seamless interoperability with major identity...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Product Designer - Growth
$120K - $145K *
Develop impactful user experiences that drive activation and conversion. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design onboarding, pricing, and checkout processes, ensuring clarity and engagement...
6 days ago
$100K - $125K *
Design and enhance intuitive product interfaces for diverse user types, ensuring clarity and consistency across various platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create user-centered solut...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Structures
$150K - $200K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on transforming innovative prototypes into production-ready mechanical designs for advanced ground launcher systems, ensuring high-quality perform...
3 weeks ago
$113K - $142K *
Engineer innovative electrical designs for modular data centers, ensuring compliance and performance across international standards. Collaborate with teams to deliver hands-on solutions from concept t...
2 weeks ago
$87K - $108K *
Accelerate innovation by developing design solutions for new and existing products. Collaborate cross-functionally to lead projects from concept to production, ensuring quality and efficiency througho...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Designer (Power / Hydropower)
$80K - $95K *
Advance your career by leading mechanical design projects for power generation facilities. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to enhance existing systems and develop new solutions, ensuring ef...
4 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the creative evolution of visual storytelling through innovative designs and infographics, enhancing taxpayer outreach materials and ensuring brand consistency across multiple platforms in a dyna...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$100K - $150K *
Champion innovative civil designs and models for diverse infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality documentation and support from concept to constructio...
6 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Innovate civil engineering designs and documentation for diverse infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions from concept to construction, ensur...
6 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Champion innovative civil designs and models for diverse infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality documentation and support from concept to constructio...
6 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Collaborate with us to design and develop civil engineering projects, utilizing Civil 3D and AutoCAD. Engage in diverse municipal infrastructure and land development initiatives, ensuring high-quality...
6 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Engage in diverse civil design projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop practical engineering solutions using Civil 3D and AutoCAD, from concept through construction documentati...
6 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Join us to develop innovative civil engineering designs for diverse municipal infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, utilizing Civil 3D and AutoCAD to deliver high-quality...
6 days ago
$75K - $95K *
Take ownership of technical coordination for a major civil engineering project, ensuring seamless communication and compliance with safety standards while managing internal and external stakeholders t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock innovative user experiences by collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement high-quality products. Drive design initiatives from concept to production while leveraging mode...
4 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a UX Design Engineer, blending design and engineering to create intuitive user experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape innovative products, from concept...
4 days ago
$83K - $118K *
Join our team as a senior CNC programmer to lead complex machining projects, utilizing Mastercam 2025. You'll transform designs into production-ready NC code, guiding fellow programmers and machinists...
Reposted 3 days ago
$148K - $193K *
Join a dynamic team as a Program Manager, leading complex projects from inception to completion. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, manage resources, and drive innovation while ensuring client sat...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of thermal management solutions. Leverage your mechanical design expertise to develop innovative Coolant Distribution Units, ensuring high-quality production from...
1 week ago
Project Designer/Architect (Transit Architecture)
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by leading architectural design projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring high-quality execution while mentoring junior designers and engaging with clients...
6 days ago
Experienced Computer Aided Design Technologist - Design Engineer, Onsite
$74K - $144K *
Lead innovative design efforts by transforming concepts into detailed specifications, utilizing advanced CAD technology to create complex models and drawings. Collaborate with teams to ensure precisio...
Reposted 1 week ago
3D Plant Layout Engineer - Revit/BIM Specialist
$60K - $135K *
Join a team that's redefining industrial design through advanced 3D modeling and BIM integration. Collaborate across disciplines to optimize factory layouts, enhance equipment integration, and ensure...
Today
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.