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.
$102K - $140K *
Transform the gaming landscape by optimizing large-scale UE5 environments, establishing procedural pipelines, and enhancing artist workflows. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality, ef...
4 weeks ago
Robotics Mechatronics Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Innovate in robotics by designing and integrating warehouse robots, focusing on mechanical assembly and control systems. Collaborate closely with software teams to enhance functionality and performanc...
1 week ago
$120K - $140K *
Shape the future of design by leveraging AI and advanced tools to craft compelling visual narratives. Collaborate cross-functionally to create high-impact materials across various platforms in a fast...
Reposted 5 days ago
Principal UX/Product Designer - D&D Beyond
$143K - $230K *
Bring your expertise to design innovative UX/UI solutions for D&D Beyond, enhancing player experiences across complex features. Lead strategic initiatives, advocate for UX, and collaborate with cross...
Reposted today
$78K - $90K *
Lead engineering initiatives to design, enhance, and optimize products, ensuring alignment with manufacturing capabilities and performance standards while fostering innovation and usability improvemen...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by developing dynamic 3D graphics for immersive web apps, utilizing WebGL and ThreeJS to deliver exceptional visual experiences across browsers, while collaborating with cross-functio...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Architect / Interior Designer, Aviation and Food & Beverage
$95K - $115K *
Lead and inspire project teams in delivering innovative designs for aviation and food & beverage spaces. Drive project success through collaboration, technical expertise, and client engagement while f...
3 weeks ago
Lead Designer - Design Systems
$194K - $253K *
Lead the charge in integrating brand values and design systems, transforming abstract concepts into scalable, user-focused elements while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistenc...
Reposted 5 days ago
$200K - $260K *
Innovate with us to shape the future of User Acquisition products, leading strategy and execution in a high-scale environment. Collaborate across teams to deliver impactful machine learning solutions...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$200K - $260K *
Transform user acquisition strategies by leading product development for machine learning solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance campaign management and optimize performance i...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$62K - $116K *
Analyze and enhance product designs to boost performance and cost efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues, conduct root cause analysis, and ensure regulatory compliance w...
3 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative electrical systems, collaborating with clients and partners to create energy-efficient solutions that enhance sustainability and drive impactful projects across...
2 days ago
Directeur technique du squelettage - Character TD (DNEG Animation)
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to create innovative animation rigs for characters and creatures. Collaborate closely with Rigging Supervisors and Animation Leads to develop effective solutions in a dynamic team envi...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team focused on application verification and product support for chassis modules. Contribute expertise in engineering to optimize project delivery and enhance customer satisfaction in t...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $170K *
Lead the charge in transforming user experiences by guiding clients through our Design Intelligence™ framework, ensuring human-centered solutions that address complex challenges from discovery to inte...
4 days ago
Product Designer II - Uber Eats, Ads Consumer Experiences
$153K - $170K *
Transform user experiences by designing impactful ad formats that enhance food discovery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create elegant, data-driven solutions that reach millions, driving...
2 weeks ago
$207K - $311K *
Drive innovation in battery pack design for consumer electronics, utilizing advanced engineering techniques and 3D modeling. Collaborate across teams to ensure manufacturability and reliability, while...
3 days ago
$120K - $160K *
Design intuitive enterprise workflows and experiences, simplifying complex settings while ensuring clarity and trust. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, user-centered sol...
1 week ago
$135K - $155K *
Help us drive innovation in fleet charging hub design, overseeing projects from site control to permitting. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery while maintaining high des...
2 weeks ago
Manager, Software Engineering - Design Systems Adherence
$258K - $376K *
Shape the future of design quality by leading a team focused on enhancing adherence to design systems, improving workflows, and leveraging AI to ensure seamless integration between design and code...
1 week ago
Manager, Software Engineering - Design Systems Adherence
$258K - $376K *
Champion the future of design quality by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on enhancing design systems adherence, driving impactful strategies, and fostering innovation in AI-assisted workflo...
1 week ago
Product Designer, Managed Accounts
$130K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining investment experiences for customers. As a Product Designer, you'll craft user-centered solutions that simplify complex financial concepts, fostering trust and clarity in...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading technical project delivery and quality oversight across multiple disciplines. Collaborate with teams to implement strategic initiatives, enhance processes, and ensure excel...
Yesterday
Technology Systems - Senior Designer
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative technology systems design for diverse building projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering telecommunications, audiovisual, and security solutions while mentoring junior s...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation in building automation as you lead a team of Senior Design Engineers, ensuring excellence in design and execution for complex systems in commercial and industrial settings. Collaborat...
2 weeks 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.