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.
$110K - $125K *
Shape the future of 2D animation by leading a talented FX team, setting creative standards, and enhancing workflows for a new streaming series. Drive artistic excellence while mentoring artists and co...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in designing and enhancing mission-critical ordnance components, collaborating across teams to ensure product excellence throughout the lifecycle and driving innovative solutions in a...
Reposted 5 days ago
$102K - $140K *
Champion the development of innovative UI systems in Unreal Engine 5, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create responsive, high-performance in-game interfaces. Drive solutions for dynamic H...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion the design and development of cutting-edge electronic products, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to execute complex engineering tasks and drive project success for defense programs...
3 weeks ago
$169K - $296K *
Drive compliance excellence by designing and implementing security controls across multiple frameworks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance compliance processes and leverage automation...
3 weeks ago
$169K - $296K *
Explore compliance engineering by designing and implementing security controls across multiple frameworks. Collaborate with teams to enhance compliance processes through automation and technical solut...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Develop intuitive designs for complex finance systems, enhancing user experience from concept to production. Collaborate with engineers to create a cohesive design system that empowers finance teams a...
1 month ago
$87K - $126K *
Champion the development of structural BIM models and construction documents for water and wastewater projects, collaborating with engineers and designers to ensure project success from concept to con...
2 weeks ago
$87K - $136K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water and infrastructure projects. Contribute your expertise in structural CAD/BIM design, collaborating with engineers to deliver high-quality models and docu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Designer - Discovery
$138K - $208K *
Deliver innovative design solutions for AI-driven legal data intelligence, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and streamline workflows. Drive projects from concept t...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by designing and delivering high-quality data pipelines. Collaborate with architects and analysts to optimize data solutions that support product strategy while ensuring reliability a...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Product Designer - Discovery
$138K - $208K *
Transform the legal landscape by leading design for an AI platform, driving end-to-end workflows, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that empower legal profe...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer innovative mechanical designs for advanced jet engine components, guiding projects from concept through testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure performance and reliability...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $110K *
Elevate project outcomes by managing residential construction from design to completion, ensuring quality and client satisfaction while coordinating with diverse teams and stakeholders throughout the...
1 week ago
$63K - $118K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic hardware engineering team focused on high-speed design, validation, and cross-functional collaboration to drive innovative solutions in cutting-edge technology...
1 week ago
$115K - $135K *
Develop innovative mechanical designs and optimize components using SolidWorks. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance manufacturability and performance while ensuring compliance with industry stan...
1 week ago
Electrical Engineering - Electrical Designer
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by designing innovative electrical solutions, collaborating cross-functionally, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. This role offers growth opportunities towards leadership...
Reposted 5 days ago
$80K - $120K *
Drive innovative design solutions as part of a dynamic Space Planning Team, utilizing Autodesk Revit to create detailed 3D BIM models and architectural layouts for diverse tenant spaces, ensuring opti...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by joining our Space Planning Team to create innovative 3D Building Information Models using Autodesk Revit. Collaborate on architectural designs and enhance tenant spaces with c...
2 weeks ago
3D Print Optimization Engineer
$85K - $148K *
Optimize 3D printing performance by solving complex engineering challenges. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance SLA & SLS technologies, ensuring customer satisfaction through innovative solution...
Reposted 5 days ago
3D Print Optimization Engineer
$85K - $148K *
Join a team that's redefining 3D printing performance through innovative optimization. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance hardware, software, and materials, ensuring exceptional print quality a...
1 week ago
3D Print Optimization Engineer
$85K - $148K *
Elevate print performance as a 3D Print Optimization Engineer, tackling complex challenges across hardware, software, and materials. Collaborate with a diverse team to enhance SLA & SLS platforms, dri...
1 week ago
Senior Interior Design Technologist
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the technical development and coordination of interior design projects, ensuring quality documentation, effective collaboration, and adherence to industry standards through...
Reposted 1 month ago
$134K - $179K *
Elevate your career by leading a dynamic design team in delivering innovative energy and infrastructure solutions for complex projects. Drive multidisciplinary collaboration, ensure design quality, an...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate user experiences by leading the design of AI-powered products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into intuitive solutions, driving impactful product devel...
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.