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.
$120K - $145K *
Unlock your creativity as a design leader, driving high-quality marketing materials and executive presentations while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Collaborate with teams to...
1 week ago
Deputy Design Manager - Gateway
$148K - $266K *
Drive design excellence by managing a high-impact infrastructure project. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure quality deliverables, optimize design solutions, and facilitate seamless transitions...
1 week ago
Deputy Design Manager - Gateway
$148K - $266K *
Transform the future of rail infrastructure by managing design processes, collaborating with diverse teams, and ensuring project deliverables meet high standards. Lead innovative solutions for the mos...
1 week ago
$117K - $234K *
Champion user-centered design by leading research and prototyping efforts to enhance customer experiences across digital platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align design solutions wi...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Deliver innovative mechanical designs and solutions for aerospace projects, ensuring compliance and quality. Collaborate with teams to manage projects from concept to implementation, while adhering to...
1 week ago
Design and CNC Programming Manager
$85K - $105K *
Transform product design by leading CNC programming and documentation, optimizing processes for steel pool products. Manage a design team, ensure quality standards, and collaborate with manufacturing...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Design Development Engineer (Inline Device Characterization)
$150K - $190K *
Pioneer innovative solutions in semiconductor design and testing. Take ownership of inline test structures for Silicon Photonics technologies, leveraging your expertise in device physics and data anal...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by leading architectural projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring quality in design and documentation. Contribute to innovative solutions while mentoring junior staff and managin...
1 month ago
$85K - $90K *
Drive innovation in natural gas transportation by designing and supporting distribution and transmission projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while contributin...
1 week ago
Design Lead/ Architect, Manhattan Active WM
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to lead functional design for Manhattan Active WM, translating complex requirements into scalable solutions. Drive global template governance and ensure successful implementations whil...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to elevate user experiences through innovative design and AI integration. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful solutions that transform tax filing, ensuring alignment wi...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Lead the charge in shaping intuitive enterprise product experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design AI-enabled solutions that simplify complex workflows and enhance operational effi...
2 weeks ago
$220K - $260K *
Shape the future of design by owning product and brand initiatives, setting high standards, and collaborating with contractors to elevate user experiences. Drive impactful design decisions that influe...
2 days ago
Program Manager, Design Tools & Enablement - Product, Design & Marketing Operations
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading the implementation and management of enterprise tools, ensuring effective adoption and continuous improvement across creative and product teams in a collaborative environme...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Design and Development
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative engineering solutions by managing project specifications, fostering client relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across HVAC and building automati...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Design and Development
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to manage engineering projects, ensuring design accuracy and operational success while fostering relationships with clients and stakeholders to deliver innovative HVAC solutions...
2 weeks ago
$122K - $129K *
Drive technical excellence by providing support and training for advanced network systems, ensuring seamless deployment and troubleshooting of Cyber products while collaborating with diverse teams and...
3 days ago
Project Engineer - Design and Development
$80K - $95K *
Develop strong relationships with clients while managing HVAC projects, ensuring design accuracy and operational success. Oversee engineering evaluations, project documentation, and commissioning prog...
2 weeks ago
$158K - $215K *
Drive innovation by designing and maintaining robust LAN infrastructures. Collaborate with IT partners to implement network solutions that enhance operational efficiency across global manufacturing an...
2 days ago
$158K - $215K *
Transform network design by leading innovative solutions that meet customer needs. Collaborate with agile teams to create secure, efficient LAN technologies while ensuring adherence to architectural s...
2 days ago
$158K - $215K *
Drive innovative network design solutions by leveraging your expertise in LAN technologies, Cisco systems, and RF engineering. Collaborate with agile teams to create secure, efficient designs that mee...
2 days ago
$158K - $215K *
Transform network design by leading innovative solutions that meet customer needs while ensuring security and efficiency. Collaborate with agile teams to create and implement cutting-edge LAN technolo...
2 days ago
$148K - $215K *
Unlock your potential by leading the design and optimization of enterprise load balancing solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance application delivery and ensure high availabilit...
1 week ago
$148K - $215K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing enterprise load balancing solutions. Leverage your extensive experience with F5 technologies to enhance application delivery and collaborate with cross-func...
1 week ago
$148K - $215K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and optimization of enterprise load balancing solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance application delivery, ensuring high availability and...
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.