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.
$132K - $189K *
Join the charge in crafting innovative user experiences for developer tools, leveraging design and coding skills to enhance geospatial capabilities and streamline API interactions, while collaborating...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate operations by leading a high-impact team, ensuring seamless delivery of customized projects from design to installation while driving quality, safety, and efficiency across multiple concurrent...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Product Designer - Games
$95K - $119K *
Pioneer innovative gameplay experiences by designing engaging products that unite players. Collaborate across teams to transform concepts into captivating physical games, ensuring quality and creativi...
1 week ago
$85K - $150K *
Empower innovation by designing and detailing molds and fixtures, ensuring efficient manufacturing processes while collaborating with engineers and vendors to deliver high-quality solutions...
3 days ago
$85K - $150K *
Shape innovative mold designs and collaborate with engineers to ensure functionality and manufacturability. Utilize CAD software and support projects from concept to completion while maintaining high...
3 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform your structural design expertise into impactful solutions. Collaborate with experienced engineers, lead projects independently, and execute deliverables with precision to drive excellence in...
Reposted 1 week ago
$88K - $117K *
Champion innovative design solutions by leveraging your expertise in graphic design. Collaborate with teams to create impactful visuals across print and digital platforms while managing multiple proje...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Deliver innovative design solutions that elevate brand storytelling and engage consumers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality creative output while mentoring junior designer...
2 weeks ago
$240K *
Lead the charge in transforming design excellence by guiding a multidisciplinary team to create innovative, culturally relevant brand experiences across various design disciplines. Drive strategic ini...
Reposted 1 week ago
$240K *
Oversee the creative vision and execution of design strategies, leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver innovative spatial and integrated designs that elevate brand experiences while ensuring oper...
Reposted 1 week ago
$240K *
Lead and innovate in design excellence, mentoring a multidisciplined team to create immersive brand experiences that push boundaries while ensuring strategic alignment and operational efficiency in de...
Reposted 1 week ago
Prototyping Engineer - CNC Machinist
$95K - $115K *
Advance your career by leading CNC machining and prototyping efforts, driving process improvements, and collaborating with engineering teams to develop next-gen hardware products in a dynamic, innovat...
Reposted yesterday
Design Release Engineer (DRE) - Automotive Alternators
$95K - $115K *
Elevate automotive innovation by leading component development efforts, focusing on battery systems and electromechanical technologies to enhance product quality and reliability within a global team e...
Reposted 5 days ago
Creative Technologist (AI Design Engineer)
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by bridging the gap between creators and technology. Transform professional workflows into innovative solutions, leveraging AI to enhance creative production from concept to delivery...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to innovative architectural projects, collaborating with designers from planning to construction. Ensure compliance with codes, manage documentation, and oversee tasks while shaping communi...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of architecture by collaborating with a dynamic team to design innovative projects across diverse sectors, from commercial to public works, ensuring quality and compliance throughout...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $138K *
Contribute to the full lifecycle of software design and development, delivering innovative enterprise solutions for diverse industries. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product quali...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead a dynamic design team to create innovative product ensembles from concept to completion, drive project coordination, and ensure products meet market trends while maintaining organizational excell...
Reposted 3 days ago
CAD Designer - 174527 - 175261 - 175815
$80K - $100K *
Transform engineering concepts into precise CAD models and drawings. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability and adherence to project timelines while managing documentation...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $120K *
Transform design visions into reality by leading a dynamic team of architects and designers. Drive project success through innovative solutions, technical expertise, and effective communication, ensur...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $120K *
Elevate design excellence by leading a dynamic team of architects and designers, driving innovative solutions for K-12 education projects while ensuring compliance with safety and code requirements th...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in managing complex architecture projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring client satisfaction while adhering to budget and schedule constraints throughout the proje...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by leading innovative mechanical designs for cutting-edge uranium enrichment technology. Collaborate with engineers and manufacturing teams to create detailed CAD models and docu...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $100K *
Design impactful streets and public spaces that enhance community connectivity. Lead civil design on multimodal projects, from feasibility to construction, while collaborating with a talented team to...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Design Engineer
$172K - $203K *
Shape the future of wearables by leading innovative design and development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype and refine consumer devices with precision and passion in a dynamic, fa...
Reposted 3 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.