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.
$130K - $150K *
Oversee the management of architectural projects, ensuring successful outcomes through effective planning, risk management, and stakeholder collaboration across a diverse portfolio...
3 weeks ago
Electric Distribution Designer 3 (HYBRID)
$80K *
Transform your career by gaining hands-on experience in electric distribution design. Collaborate with teams to ensure efficient project execution while enhancing customer satisfaction and adhering to...
4 days ago
$95K - $126K *
Engineer innovative electric drive systems for prototype vehicles, focusing on mechatronic integration and Model-Based Systems Engineering to ensure alignment with overall system architecture and safe...
5 days ago
Design Engineer, North America AMZL Design Engineering
$82K - $114K *
Join a dynamic team to design and optimize delivery station layouts, enhancing operational efficiency and safety across the Last Mile network. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement inno...
5 days ago
$64K - $95K *
Pioneer the mechanical design of aircraft engine nacelle components. Collaborate with manufacturers and vendors to define system architecture, generate technical data packages, and ensure compliance w...
3 weeks ago
$64K - $95K *
Drive the mechanical design of aircraft engine nacelle components, collaborating with manufacturers and vendors to ensure compliance with technical requirements while generating detailed technical dat...
3 weeks ago
$39K - $136K *
Join a team that's shaping user experiences through innovative design solutions. Leverage your expertise in UX to create intuitive interfaces, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive user-centered st...
2 weeks ago
$77K - $115K *
Optimize high-precision golf club head designs using advanced CAD software. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product success, interpret test results, and drive design improvements whi...
3 weeks ago
$180K - $230K *
Join a dynamic team to lead structural engineering for transportation projects, ensuring effective collaboration and project delivery while fostering professional growth and maintaining strong client...
Reposted yesterday
$180K - $230K *
Transform transportation infrastructure by leading structural engineering teams on diverse projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts to deliver innovative designs and ensure project success...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior/Staff Software Engineer, Customer Integrations - PCB/CAD
$145K - $175K *
Unlock potential by tackling integration challenges and enhancing CAD workflows. Collaborate with customers and teams to deliver impactful software solutions, ensuring seamless design data transitions...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Take ownership of the electrical design process, collaborating within a multidisciplinary team to deliver impactful project solutions for healthcare, education, and technology sectors...
Reposted 2 days ago
$358K - $367K *
Elevate your design career by leading high-profile projects, mentoring talent, and driving innovative solutions across brand, product, and AI video. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to set desi...
1 week ago
$120K - $155K *
Elevate your design career by creating impactful digital experiences that align with business goals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, user-centered designs that enhance...
Reposted 2 days ago
$80K - $130K *
Optimize performance marketing creative through motion design, turning insights into impactful ads that resonate with audiences. Collaborate with marketers, leveraging experimentation to drive growth...
Reposted 3 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Elevate your career by leading complex mechanical design efforts for large-scale EPC projects. Drive advanced 3D modeling, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and ensure high-quality deliverables in p...
2 weeks ago
$77K - $107K *
Innovate engaging game modes and progression systems that enhance player experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive design excellence and ensure alignment with the Ultimate Team vis...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage with us to elevate workplace design through innovative solutions. As a key contributor, you'll lead project documentation, collaborate with teams, and ensure design excellence while managing sc...
1 week ago
Design Release Engineer, Interior Door Trim
$120K - $125K *
Transform your career by joining a dynamic team focused on designing and launching innovative interior components for premium vehicles. Collaborate cross-functionally to create industry-leading soluti...
1 week ago
Innovation & Design Engineer, Worldwide Design Engineering
$80K - $137K *
Elevate engineering solutions by designing innovative systems for global supply chains. Collaborate with teams to tackle complex challenges, manage multiple projects, and drive impactful results in a...
2 weeks ago
Innovation & Design Engineer, Worldwide Design Engineering
$99K - $160K *
Invent innovative engineering solutions to enhance global supply chain efficiency. Collaborate with teams to tackle complex design challenges, manage multiple projects, and drive impactful results in...
3 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Prototyper & Lead
$120K - $145K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on innovative mechanical prototyping. Collaborate with engineers to design, fabricate, and troubleshoot cutting-edge electro-mechanical systems wh...
2 weeks ago
Intermediate Full Stack Developer - Canvas
$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of intelligent building management by developing AI-powered user experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable, maintainable application...
2 weeks ago
$165K - $200K *
Deliver exceptional user experiences by refining complex tools into intuitive designs. Collaborate closely with engineers to enhance UX, ensuring our LLM platform meets user needs with responsiveness...
Reposted 1 week ago
RealityKit Spatial UI Rendering Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive the evolution of spatial UI rendering technologies, optimizing performance and visual fidelity for next-gen applications. Collaborate across teams to integrate 3D content seamlessly, ensuring ex...
3 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.