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.
$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
$148K - $215K *
Elevate your career by leading the design and optimization of enterprise load balancing solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement cutting-edge technologies that enhance applicati...
1 week ago
$148K - $215K *
Pioneer innovative network solutions by leading the design and optimization of enterprise load balancing and application delivery systems, ensuring high availability and security across diverse enviro...
1 week ago
$148K - $215K *
Empower our team by designing and optimizing enterprise load balancing solutions. Lead strategic initiatives, collaborate across functions, and ensure high availability and security for critical appli...
1 week ago
$148K - $215K *
Champion innovative network solutions by designing and optimizing enterprise load balancing and application delivery systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high availability and se...
1 week ago
$148K - $215K *
Champion innovative network solutions by designing and optimizing enterprise load balancing and application delivery systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high availability and se...
1 week ago
Games Creative/Design Director
$287K - $336K *
Transform the gaming landscape by guiding creators in developing innovative games. Leverage your extensive design expertise to foster collaboration, drive creative processes, and enhance player engage...
1 week ago
$94K - $121K *
Transform project execution by collaborating with sales and technical teams to design and implement security systems. Ensure accuracy in drafting and documentation while fostering a team-oriented envi...
6 days ago
$105K - $135K *
Join us to lead innovative fire protection projects, ensuring safety and compliance. Utilize your expertise to design and implement life safety systems while mentoring a dynamic team and collaborating...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Innovate engaging user-centered experiences across digital, physical, and spatial environments. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop compelling design solutions from concept to producti...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower creativity by transforming ambitious concepts into innovative digital experiences. Collaborate with designers and engineers to prototype and build interactive projects, leveraging your technic...
1 week ago
PCB Design & Validation Engineer
$150K - $250K *
Elevate your career by leading PCB design and validation for high-speed optical transceivers. Own the development of test boards and ensure performance through rigorous validation across electrical an...
Reposted today
$125K - $150K *
Transform user experiences by leading design initiatives across multiple product areas. Shape and manage a scalable design system while collaborating with cross-functional teams to elevate design stan...
Reposted today
Mechanical Design Engineer (Industrial Robotics) (US Candidates Only)
$80K - $95K *
Engineer innovative robotic solutions by designing custom hardware and integrating components. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform concepts into functional robots, ensuring rapid prot...
2 weeks ago
Compositor - Mid (Expression of Interest)
$85K - $98K *
The Mid Compositor is responsible for delivering high-quality visual effects shots efficiently while taking direction from Compositing Leads and Supervisors. This role requires a keen eye for detail a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Lead innovative civil design initiatives for complex nuclear projects, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in layouts and modifications. Collaborate with teams to enhance project outcomes while mentoring...
2 weeks ago
$75K - $90K *
Lead the charge in digital design coordination, ensuring effective BIM execution across multidisciplinary projects. Collaborate with teams to enhance workflows, resolve challenges, and drive innovatio...
3 weeks ago
$108K - $130K *
Lead our structural design engineering team, elevate design processes, and tackle complex challenges in heavy equipment manufacturing. Drive innovation in fatigue life analysis and weld design while m...
Reposted 3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by crafting distinctive visual experiences that bridge brand and product. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable systems and engaging campaigns, ensuring usability...
1 week ago
Lead Architect/ Architectural Designer
$102K - $151K *
Drive innovative architectural solutions by leading medium to large projects, ensuring compliance and quality throughout all phases from concept to construction, while collaborating with multidiscipli...
4 days ago
Lead Architect/ Architectural Designer
$102K - $151K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative architectural solutions for diverse projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure design excellence, sustainability, and compliance throughout a...
4 days ago
Principal Structural Analyst - Aerospace & Defense
$134K - $247K *
Transform aerospace and automotive structures through advanced structural analysis, optimizing designs with cutting-edge CAE methodologies. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to drive innovati...
1 week ago
$70K - $107K *
Develop innovative design solutions as part of a multi-disciplinary team, focusing on engineering procurement documentation and project coordination to support critical test and maintenance projects a...
3 weeks ago
Specialist - Electronic Component Strategy (R&D)
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to the strategy for electronic component selection and lifecycle management, enhancing product resilience and supply chain robustness while collaborating with R&D and external partners to d...
Yesterday
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.