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.
$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...
3 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
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Controls
$140K - $179K *
Partner with us to design and build advanced test systems for spaceflight hardware, ensuring high performance and reliability. Lead projects from concept to execution, integrating mechanical and elect...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead diverse architectural projects across multiple sectors, providing design expertise and project management. Collaborate with teams, mentor staff, and ensure high-quality delivery while fostering c...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior VDC Engineer, driving innovative design solutions and enhancing project delivery through advanced BIM technologies and collaboration with diverse teams in a dynamic e...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Engage in transformative VDC processes, supporting design-build cycles with BIM technologies. Collaborate across project teams to ensure precision and innovation in construction delivery, driving succ...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Director, Product Design
$140K - $155K *
Lead the product design vision and strategy, ensuring cohesive digital experiences across complex client engagements. Drive design excellence, team development, and measurable outcomes while collabora...
2 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Director, Product Design
$140K - $155K *
Lead the product design vision and strategy, ensuring cohesive digital experiences across complex client engagements while fostering team development and delivering measurable outcomes in healthcare...
2 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Director, Product Design
$140K - $155K *
Pioneer impactful digital experiences as a senior design leader, driving product vision and strategy across complex client engagements. Elevate design quality, foster team development, and ensure cohe...
2 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Director, Product Design
$140K - $155K *
Lead the product design vision and strategy, ensuring cohesive digital experiences across complex client engagements. Drive design excellence, team development, and measurable outcomes while fostering...
2 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Director, Product Design
$140K - $155K *
Join a team that's redefining healthcare experiences by leading product design strategy, fostering innovation, and ensuring high-quality digital solutions that meet user needs and business goals acros...
2 weeks ago
21GRAMS- Director, Product Design
$140K - $155K *
Empower teams to elevate product design through strategic vision, fostering collaboration across disciplines to create impactful digital experiences that meet user needs and business goals while ensur...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager - Healthcare Market
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading healthcare projects from inception to completion. Manage scope, schedule, and budget while fostering collaboration among clients and teams to ensure high-quality outcome...
3 days ago
$79K - $147K *
Take ownership of PCB design by creating layouts for circuit card assemblies, ensuring compliance with specifications, collaborating with engineers, and managing documentation for fabrication and asse...
2 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop electrical systems for large-scale projects. Collaborate with engineers and vendors to create compliant, detailed drawings and documentation, ensuring success...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to innovative interior design, leading projects from concept to execution. Collaborate with clients and partners to create functional, sustainable spaces while mentoring j...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive innovative process design by leading teams, mentoring talent, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with clients to refine deliverables and enhance workflows, fostering co...
2 weeks ago
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Lead the mechanical architecture of advanced jet engine systems, guiding design from prototype to flight qualification. Drive technical decisions, mentor engineers, and ensure high standards in a fast...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining construction through innovative Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) practices. Collaborate on diverse projects, enhancing design processes and ensuring successful proje...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Pioneer in advancing virtual design and construction, supporting design-build teams with innovative BIM strategies, data management, and project delivery to ensure quality execution across diverse cli...
Reposted 2 weeks 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.