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.
Platform Delivery, Senior Director (Remote)
$120K - $161K *
Reimagine customer engagement by leading unified platform delivery strategies. Drive operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration to enhance client success and retention in clinical trial...
1 week ago
Platform Delivery, Senior Director (Remote)
$120K - $180K *
Champion a unified platform delivery strategy, enhancing customer experience and operational excellence across clinical trials. Lead cross-functional teams to optimize service delivery and drive long...
1 week ago
Mechanical Systems & Support Designer
$69K - $101K *
Drive improvements in engineering support systems while providing training and escalation assistance. Collaborate with teams to enhance software tools and documentation, ensuring efficient operations...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior BIM Designer/Specialist, Civil Structures
$140K - $165K *
Lead BIM initiatives and champion Revit-based workflows for our civil structures projects. Oversee BIM processes, ensure adherence to standards, and mentor teams for effective digital delivery through...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior BIM Designer/Specialist, Civil Structures
$140K - $165K *
Empower civil engineering excellence by leading BIM management strategies and optimizing Revit workflows for complex projects, ensuring digital delivery integration and quality assurance from inceptio...
Reposted 2 days ago
Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Sr. Engineer
$90K - $110K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of construction and technology. Lead VDC efforts to enhance project delivery, optimize collaboration, and mentor teams. Join us to innovate and advance VDC prac...
Reposted 1 week ago
$66K - $112K *
Drive innovative electrical designs for diverse projects, ensuring compliance with U.S. military standards. Collaborate with a skilled team to deliver high-quality solutions that meet client needs and...
4 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in innovative design, guiding projects from concept to execution while mentoring junior designers and collaborating across disciplines to create impactful environments that meet client...
2 days ago
$110K - $135K *
Join a dynamic team to lead innovative design projects, mentor junior designers, and collaborate across sectors to create sustainable environments that meet client objectives and enhance brand identit...
3 weeks ago
$66K - $112K *
Execute innovative electrical designs for diverse projects, ensuring compliance with U.S. military standards. Collaborate with a skilled team to deliver high-quality solutions that meet client needs a...
4 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team to design innovative, code-compliant solutions for commercial projects, focusing on veterinary, medical, and dental offices. Collaborate from concept to cons...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion project management excellence by leading teams, nurturing client relationships, and ensuring quality delivery across design services while driving financial performance and fostering a collab...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Drive project management excellence by leading teams, nurturing client relationships, and ensuring quality delivery across design services while achieving financial performance and fostering a collabo...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Manage project execution and client relations while leading and mentoring teams. Drive quality and financial performance by integrating design services, ensuring compliance, and fostering collaboratio...
Reposted yesterday
Senior UI/UX Software Engineer (UE5)
$125K - $170K *
Join a dynamic team to innovate and implement responsive UI systems in Unreal Engine 5 for a high-profile AAA game. Collaborate across disciplines to create engaging user experiences while tackling co...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative design solutions by leading projects, mentoring talent, and fostering a collaborative culture. Drive client relationships and ensure design excellence while integrating sustainable...
2 weeks ago
$92K - $138K *
Manage design efforts for Nacelle components in commercial aircraft, ensuring compliance with standards and requirements. Collaborate across functions to enhance product quality and efficiency while l...
3 weeks ago
$92K - $138K *
Architect design solutions for Nacelle components, ensuring compliance with standards. Lead cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and efficiency while driving engineering changes and techn...
3 weeks ago
Digital Construction Project Engineer
$85K - $118K *
Transform project execution by integrating Digital Construction systems, enhancing collaboration and innovation throughout the project lifecycle. Drive value through effective communication and techni...
1 week ago
Digital Construction Project Engineer
$85K - $118K *
Partner with us to drive innovation in Digital Construction, enhancing project execution and collaboration. Leverage your expertise in BIM technologies to integrate systems, streamline processes, and...
1 week ago
Digital Construction Project Engineer
$85K - $118K *
Unlock innovative solutions by integrating Digital Construction systems throughout project lifecycles. Collaborate with teams to enhance project efficiency and drive R&D objectives, ensuring quality e...
1 week ago
Digital Construction Project Engineer
$85K - $118K *
Contribute to the implementation of Digital Construction systems across project lifecycles, fostering innovation and collaboration. Engage with teams to enhance project timelines and R&D objectives th...
1 week ago
$95K - $230K *
Advance your career by leading aerospace design initiatives. Collaborate with diverse teams, utilizing CAD technology to develop innovative structures across multiple program phases, while mentoring t...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive impactful product solutions by transforming complex business challenges into user-centric designs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful adoption and measurable improvemen...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of product design by transforming complex challenges into impactful solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver software that enhances operations and drives measurab...
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.