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.
$100K - $120K *
Optimize multidisciplinary design and drafting teams to deliver high-quality solutions for complex industrial projects. Lead project execution, foster collaboration, and ensure alignment with client e...
2 days ago
$93K - $139K *
Shape the future of architectural design by leading diverse projects, applying advanced concepts, and providing expert guidance. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet client...
2 weeks ago
$89K - $133K *
Join a dynamic team to elevate transit architecture through innovative design solutions. Collaborate on world-class projects, ensuring exceptional passenger experiences while managing technical design...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Design and ship engaging user experiences for researchers, focusing on complex workflows and polished interfaces. Collaborate with a small team to translate technical ideas into intuitive designs, enh...
5 days ago
Senior Design Coordinator (Architecture)
$95K - $115K *
Shape architectural projects by evaluating techniques and collaborating with clients. Leverage your expertise to produce detailed construction documents and specifications while guiding teams through...
3 days ago
$80K - $133K *
Lead the charge in front-end ASIC design, collaborating with teams to architect and verify complex logic blocks, ensuring successful tape-outs and high-quality product delivery...
1 week ago
Architectural BIM Coordination Manager
$90K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading BIM coordination and integration for diverse institutional projects. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure design intent and constructability, enhancing project delivery...
1 week ago
$180K - $230K *
Join a team that's redefining data architecture by designing robust ETL pipelines and optimizing data models across diverse databases. Leverage your expertise to drive innovative solutions and enhance...
1 week ago
Visual Presentation Designer, Prime Video Experience Design
$120K - $163K *
Empower our team by designing compelling visual presentations that simplify complex ideas. Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to create engaging materials for events, ensuring bran...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive technical artistry by leading the development of scalable workflows and tools within the art pipeline. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance performance and reliability in Unity, while mento...
3 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's pioneering mechanical design solutions for defense systems. This role blends hands-on design with configuration management, ensuring compliance and accuracy in engineering documenta...
2 days ago
Senior Civil 3D Designer - Land Development
$80K - $95K *
Lead complex civil design projects, focusing on oil and gas infrastructure. Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D to develop detailed drawings, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior designers...
3 weeks ago
Senior Civil 3D Designer - Land Development
$80K - $95K *
Optimize civil design projects by leveraging your expertise in AutoCAD Civil 3D. Collaborate with engineers and project teams to develop detailed drawings for oil and gas, pipeline, and infrastructure...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform user experiences by owning end-to-end product design, creating intuitive systems for diverse users across web and mobile. Collaborate cross-functionally to tackle complex challenges in a fas...
3 weeks ago
Experiential Graphic Designer IV
$88K - $105K *
Drive innovative design solutions by leading projects, mentoring teams, and translating client visions into compelling concepts. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver exceptional experiential desi...
2 days ago
Civil Engineer - Residential Design
$89K - $128K *
Join a team that's redefining residential site development, collaborating with experts to drive projects from feasibility to construction. Leverage your engineering skills to create innovative solutio...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join our team to enhance iOS and watchOS apps by delivering high-quality features and user experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams while optimizing performance and scaling development pro...
Reposted 1 week ago
$116K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to shape the future of aerospace structures through innovative design, analysis, and testing. Contribute to cutting-edge projects that redefine manufacturing processes and enhance...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in delivering rapid, innovative design solutions for custom requests, focusing on translating specifications into manufacturable products while ensuring quality and efficiency in a fas...
Reposted 3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to elevate BIM practices across multidisciplinary projects, ensuring seamless integration and collaboration. Lead model management efforts, drive project success, and foster innova...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Shape cutting-edge AI-native product experiences by designing, building, and refining UI across diverse platforms while evolving essential design systems and improving team workflows through innovativ...
Reposted today
$100K - $110K *
Join our Product Design team to shape innovative digital experiences for millions. Lead end-to-end design processes, collaborate cross-functionally, and leverage emerging technologies to enhance membe...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $85K *
Empower our design and production teams by ensuring garment fit and technical construction for non-denim apparel. Collaborate with global partners to maintain brand consistency and streamline workflow...
3 weeks ago
$70K - $110K *
Drive innovative mechanical design solutions across the product lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturability and resolve production challenges while ensuring quali...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $105K *
Unlock potential by supporting design and development of VPS power supply products, focusing on circuit testing, electrical evaluations, and documentation while collaborating across teams to deliver r...
Reposted 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.