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.
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of user experience by leading design across a complex, multi-product ecosystem. Drive innovation, advocate for design-led thinking, and integrate AI-native workflows to enhance produc...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of interior design by leading innovative projects for federal clients. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver exceptional design solutions across multiple sectors, ensuring excell...
5 days ago
$76K - $84K *
Join a team that creates compelling visual materials to enhance business development and communications. Collaborate with various teams to produce proposals, presentations, and digital content in a dy...
Reposted 2 days ago
$76K - $84K *
Elevate your design career by creating impactful visual materials that enhance business development and communications. Collaborate with diverse teams to produce proposals, presentations, and digital...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Product Designer-AutoSync Retail Operations
$110K - $115K *
Transform the dealership CRM experience by leading end-to-end product design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create intuitive solutions that enhance dealer efficiency and customer engageme...
6 days ago
$75K - $140K *
Elevate your career by managing PCB layouts and harness designs for cutting-edge lunar technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure precision and compliance in a dynamic environment...
2 weeks ago
Senior Specialist, PCB Designer
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by designing innovative PCB layouts, collaborating with engineering teams to ensure compliance with specifications, and driving improvements in manufacturing processes. Join us to...
1 week ago
$85K - $135K *
Lead transformative UX/UI design initiatives, shaping user journeys and modernizing digital experiences. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance accessibility and drive measurable outcomes across a...
2 days ago
Mission Integration Engineer - SV Design
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's transforming space missions by integrating advanced spacecraft designs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless communication and execution of mission objectives...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive design excellence by leading user experience initiatives, solving complex challenges, and creating intuitive interfaces that enhance healthcare solutions. Collaborate across teams to unify desig...
6 days ago
Senior Mechanical Design Specialist
$138K - $207K *
Empower innovation by designing advanced mechanical systems for fusion energy. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop solutions, analyze complex problems, and lead projects while mentoring...
3 days ago
Mechanical Designer 3 - Nuclear Power
$68K - $104K *
Join a team that's redefining mechanical design in nuclear engineering. Collaborate with multi-disciplined teams to create innovative 3D models and deliver high-quality mechanical drawings, ensuring s...
1 week ago
$180K - $210K *
Lead and enhance CAD operations and product definition within Mechanical Engineering. Drive strategy, team development, and workflow improvements to support complex product integration and design rele...
3 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Empower your career by leading innovative interior design projects, collaborating with clients and teams to achieve project goals while ensuring compliance and quality across all phases of design and...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $180K *
Lead the charge in developing embedded firmware and control systems for advanced imaging technologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and high-performance sol...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $100K *
Innovate your career by designing impactful digital experiences across product lifecycles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define problems, validate solutions, and deliver user-centric desi...
3 weeks ago
Digital Product Designer - Digital and Technology Partners - Onsite/Hybrid
$120K - $180K *
Join us in designing impactful digital experiences for patients and providers. This full-stack role emphasizes UX research and service design, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance workflows and...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Innovate user experiences by designing and building intuitive mortgage software. Collaborate closely with teams to create a seamless design system, ensuring clarity and accessibility while transformin...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Build impactful product experiences by designing and coding from scratch. Own the design system, create user-friendly components, and simplify complex workflows in a regulated market. Collaborate clos...
1 week ago
$79K - $116K *
Contribute to innovative warehouse automation by creating and coordinating Autodesk Revit models for complex steel structures, ensuring accuracy and collaboration across engineering teams while gainin...
3 days ago
Engineer, AD/ADAS Vehicle Integration
$95K - $115K *
Optimize vehicle integration processes by ensuring software conformity and uptime. Collaborate with validation teams to enhance automated driving technologies through rigorous testing and performance...
3 days ago
$95K - $125K *
Lead the visual storytelling for architectural projects, transforming concepts into stunning designs. Collaborate with architects and designers to create impactful graphics that inspire clients and el...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Manager, CAD Development
$105K - $125K *
Lead CAD development for the LA28 Olympics, managing a team, establishing standards, and creating designs that turn venue concepts into reality, crucial for logistics, planning, and procurement during...
Reposted yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing a dynamic engineering team, fostering innovation and skill development while ensuring project delivery and customer satisfaction. Drive continuous improvement and support s...
2 weeks ago
$70K - $100K *
Lead the execution of customer programs in PCB manufacturing, ensuring on-time delivery and compliance with technical specifications while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance customer...
4 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.