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.
$90K - $140K *
Join a team that's redefining brand identity through innovative design. Collaborate across departments to create impactful visual experiences that enhance our presence in the AI ecosystem, driving eng...
3 weeks ago
Technical Designer - Bras & Seamless
$80K - $100K *
Transform the design process by leading technical development for women's bras and seamless styles, ensuring fit and quality from concept to production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to upho...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform user insights into innovative design solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet client objectives. Leverage research and design tools to create impactful prototypes that en...
1 week ago
$94K - $178K *
Innovate engaging visual assets across marketing channels to enhance campaign strategies. Collaborate with teams to create compelling designs that meet brand standards and accessibility requirements...
Reposted 5 days ago
Intermediate Architects & Designers
$75K - $100K *
Lead innovative design solutions as a Junior or Intermediate Architect, blending creativity with technical expertise. Collaborate on diverse projects, enhancing multi-family housing and urban developm...
3 days ago
Electrical Designer (All Levels)
$80K - $95K *
Join our team to design and develop innovative electrical systems, ensuring compliance and efficiency. Collaborate with engineers to create detailed schematics and optimize performance across various...
1 week ago
$95K - $126K *
Architect cutting-edge mechanical systems that drive innovation. Collaborate with global teams to develop, test, and integrate safe designs across projects, ensuring high performance and reliability i...
Reposted 1 week ago
Concepteur(trice) mécanique senior / Senior Mechanical Designer
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by leading the design of innovative mechanical solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create detailed drawings and 3D models, ensuring project success through advanced eng...
4 weeks ago
Digital Product Design Manager
$87K - $270K *
Lead the charge in product design, driving end-to-end project delivery while mentoring teams and leveraging AI to enhance user experiences. Collaborate with clients to translate insights into strategi...
1 week ago
Intermediate Landscape Designer/Technologist
$77K - $102K *
Elevate your career by designing impactful landscapes and public spaces. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions from concept to construction, enhancing communities ac...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion innovative product design by leading a talented team, ensuring a design-first approach while collaborating with AI engineers and strategists to drive growth and excellence in a fast-paced env...
1 week ago
$85K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team as you design and enhance machinery using SolidWorks. Engage in exciting projects with flexible hours and career growth opportunities in a supportive environment. All experience le...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $247K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative aerospace vehicle development through advanced structural engineering. Collaborate across teams to optimize designs and enhance manufacturing processes, shaping...
1 week ago
$125K - $195K *
Analyze architectural designs, conduct technical reviews, and mitigate risks while collaborating with project teams to optimize construction processes and ensure compliance with codes and standards ac...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading design initiatives and providing technical support in Civil 3D. Collaborate with project teams to enhance operational efficiency and deliver innovative solutions while ment...
Reposted 1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in innovative architectural design, managing projects from concept to completion while mentoring junior staff and ensuring technical accuracy and client satisfaction throughout the pro...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$83K - $93K *
Elevate your career by creating and modifying detailed designs using Creo software. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support engineering projects, ensuring high-quality standards and effective commu...
5 days ago
$170K - $250K *
Transform complex financial workflows into intuitive designs, leading end-to-end product design efforts. Collaborate with teams to create user-centric experiences, leveraging data insights and innovat...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in designing and developing electronic hardware, ensuring seamless integration with embedded systems. Focus on circuit board design, telemetry data acquisition, and testing while engag...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Shape transformative architectural visions in hospitality and mixed-use projects. Mentor talent, streamline design processes, and ensure excellence from concept through to delivery, all within a colla...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior AI-Native Product Designer
$172K - $203K *
Invent intuitive user experiences by architecting AI-powered systems that enhance engagement through ambient interactions, ensuring a seamless blend of design and data science for intelligent, user-ce...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Mechanical Designer (Contract)
$100K - $130K *
Lead the charge in mechanical product design by creating detailed CAD models, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and enhancing product quality and manufacturability to drive innovation in clea...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Transform the technical landscape by leading a senior engineering team, driving architectural decisions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery while collaborating closely with product leadership...
5 days ago
$74K - $95K *
Explore the world of Virtual Design and Construction as a vital team player, driving project success through 3D/2D coordination, BIM best practices, and advanced analysis for seamless delivery across...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Engineering Designer III - Civil/Site
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's transforming ideas into reality! As an Engineering Designer III, you'll lead civil site projects, focusing on grading, drainage, and utility design while collaborating with skilled...
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.