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.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (ACS Systems)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize the design and development of advanced attitude control systems for hypersonic vehicles. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure reliable performance and integration of critical ha...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (ACS Systems)
$110K - $130K *
Transform aerospace design by leading the development of advanced attitude control systems, ensuring precision and reliability in high-performance hypersonic vehicles through innovative mechanical eng...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Designer / Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Pioneer innovative electrical designs for Federal projects, leading teams and ensuring quality. Collaborate with project managers to meet budgets while mentoring staff and enhancing efficiency in a dy...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Designer / Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Transform complex electrical designs for Federal projects, leading teams and ensuring quality. Collaborate with project managers to meet budgets and timelines while mentoring staff and enhancing effic...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Designer / Engineer
$92K - $110K *
Champion innovative electrical design solutions for Federal projects, leading teams and ensuring quality deliverables while adhering to budget and timelines. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Designer / Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical design projects for Federal and Government sectors. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality deliverables, mentor staff, and apply industry standards while ma...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Inspire creativity by translating complex research into engaging motion design. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop compelling visual narratives that enhance understanding and accessibility of i...
1 week ago
$85K - $100K *
Lead innovative electrical design projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality building systems solutions from concept to completion...
1 month ago
$140K - $269K *
Optimize financial systems by leading the design and implementation of best-in-class Order-to-Cash processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance automation and scalability while mentor...
1 week ago
$80K - $96K *
Drive innovative audiovisual solutions by translating client needs into detailed designs. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure project success from concept to deployment, while creating comprehens...
2 weeks ago
Staff Equipment Mechanical Design Engineer
$155K - $185K *
Join a team that's redefining mechanical design in power electronics. Lead the development of custom equipment for high-performance manufacturing, ensuring reliability and scalability in innovative in...
Reposted 2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Create innovative electrical systems for controls and automation, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-performance solutions from concept to commissioning, while optimizing desig...
Yesterday
Senior Product Designer, Mission Autonomy
$166K - $220K *
Shape the future of autonomous operations by designing intuitive interfaces for command and control systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and drive innovation in...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Designer, Mission Autonomy
$166K - $220K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team shaping the future of autonomous systems. Collaborate across disciplines to design intuitive interfaces that enhance military operations and user experiences in co...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $143K *
Lead the charge in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) strategies for a prominent healthcare project, coordinating diverse teams to enhance design efficiency through advanced technologies...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Product Designer, Drafting
$150K - $225K *
Pioneer innovative design solutions as a Staff Product Designer, driving AI-powered workflows and enhancing user experiences in a complex legal tech environment. Collaborate closely with engineering t...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Engineer innovative solutions as a Senior Plant 3D Administrator, leading project setup and digital engineering initiatives. Drive automation and standardization across multidisciplinary teams while p...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to innovative product development by leading commercialization efforts, mentoring team members, and optimizing workflows to meet consumer and business needs while ensuring quality and effic...
Today
Project Designer, Electrical Engineering (MEP)
$80K - $95K *
Engage in innovative electrical system design, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, code-compliant solutions for diverse projects. Support project execution through tech...
3 days ago
CVML Engineer - 3D Reconstruction
$160K - $190K *
Shape the future of human-centric 3D solutions by leveraging cutting-edge computer vision and machine learning techniques. Collaborate with experts to develop innovative algorithms that enhance health...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your engineering career by developing innovative solutions for bolting and joint integrity projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, cost-effective designs that meet cu...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Design Engineer, Structures
$105K - $140K *
Drive innovation by designing and prototyping mechanical systems for advanced defense platforms. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to optimize performance and manufacturability throughout the...
3 weeks ago
Technical Designer - Women's Design
$80K - $95K *
Collaborate with our Design Team as a Technical Designer to transform creative concepts into production-ready garments, while ensuring design integrity. Leverage your expertise in contemporary women's...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior 3D Print Optimization Engineer
$115K - $200K *
Help us optimize the future of 3D printing by enhancing performance across our SLA & SLS platforms. Collaborate with a diverse team to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver innovative solut...
1 week ago
$126K - $192K *
Elevate the gaming experience by crafting immersive environments that enhance storytelling. Collaborate with a talented team to define the visual identity of a vibrant world, ensuring artistic consist...
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.