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.
Micro-Architect and RTL Designer
$160K - $500K+*
Lead the charge in advancing silicon design methodologies for subsystems and chip-level deliverables, driving projects from micro-architecture to sign-off. Collaborate across teams to ensure high-perf...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$119K - $209K *
Unlock your potential by providing technical leadership for a major rail transit project. Oversee multidisciplinary coordination, ensure compliance with design criteria, and manage complex interfaces...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower the design of innovative water and wastewater facilities by creating detailed contract documents and collaborating with engineers to ensure compliance and efficiency in civil/site design proje...
3 weeks ago
Innovation Engineer Cobra Golf
$70K - $91K *
Champion innovative design by developing cutting-edge golf club concepts and engineering solutions. Collaborate across departments to design, prototype, and validate products that elevate performance...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$135K - $165K *
Drive innovation in robotics software development, integrating AI and simulation technologies to enhance production environments. Collaborate globally in an Agile setting, leveraging your expertise to...
2 weeks ago
Electrical Digital Design Lead (Buildings)
$95K - $115K *
Champion the digital design process by leading BIM model development, ensuring high-quality outputs, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance project delivery and compliance with indus...
3 weeks ago
Power Electronics PCB Designer
$90K - $110K *
Empower innovation in space technology by designing cutting-edge power electronics for satellites. Collaborate with experts to create efficient PCB solutions, ensuring compliance with industry standar...
1 week ago
3D Memory Chip Architect and Design, Principal Engineer
$200K - $300K *
Pioneer innovative AI algorithms and architectures to optimize memory-centric compute systems, enhancing performance and power efficiency across multiple platforms including data centers and mobile ap...
Reposted 5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to design innovative mechanical solutions, collaborating with sales and production to enhance product quality and efficiency while driving continuous improvement in manufacturing p...
5 days ago
UI Designer Design System Specialist
$59K - $117K *
Champion the evolution of our Design System, ensuring scalable, accessible components that enhance multi-brand digital experiences. Collaborate with designers and engineers to drive adoption and explo...
Yesterday
$180K - $245K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of ultra-low-power computing by designing and integrating advanced RTL for SoC components. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation from microa...
3 weeks ago
$180K - $245K *
Engineer cutting-edge RTL designs for power-efficient SoCs, integrating advanced blocks and peripherals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, low-power solutions from microa...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock creativity by leading visual storytelling and strategies for impactful campaigns. Collaborate with diverse teams and clients to deliver high-quality designs that resonate with audiences and mee...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Empower your career by providing expert instrumentation design support across multiple teams. Lead design assignments, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with industry standards while collabor...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Champion the design and development of instrumentation solutions, guiding junior designers while ensuring adherence to industry standards. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality projects in...
3 weeks ago
$93K - $116K *
Lead transformative projects by managing teams, enhancing client relations, and ensuring quality outcomes. Drive financial performance while fostering collaboration and implementing best practices to...
Reposted yesterday
Solidworks/NX Designer (FERMILAB)
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to innovative mechanical designs by utilizing NX1980 and Teamcenter. Collaborate with engineering teams to deliver high-quality drawings and models while adhering to project schedules and G...
1 week ago
$108K - $130K *
Unlock potential by delivering precise analog layouts in deep SubMicron CMOS technologies. Collaborate with circuit design teams to optimize layouts, ensuring compliance with stringent performance and...
5 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Optimize RTL designs by converting them into netlists, enhancing methodologies, and ensuring robust performance through thorough analysis and collaboration with R&D teams. Drive improvements in power...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by creating and launching innovative marketing assets using AI. Collaborate with teams to enhance product capabilities while engaging with the community as a brand ambassador, driving...
2 weeks ago
$107K - $181K *
Lead the charge in crafting user-centric designs that elevate the home-buying experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions and contribute to a dynamic design sys...
1 week ago
Senior Equipment Engineer - Electrical
$111K - $176K *
Lead the charge in transforming aerospace and automotive manufacturing through advanced Additive Manufacturing. Drive equipment reliability and optimize production processes while mentoring teams and...
2 weeks ago
Senior Equipment Engineer - Electrical
$111K - $176K *
Explore your potential as you drive the transition of advanced Additive Manufacturing equipment into high-volume production. Collaborate with teams to enhance reliability, troubleshoot issues, and est...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Optimize inventory and warehouse operations, ensuring efficiency and productivity while collaborating cross-functionally to support hardware manufacturing and assembly processes...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $130K *
Drive project success by managing complex proposals, coordinating teams, and ensuring timely delivery within budget. Collaborate with stakeholders and provide technical guidance to achieve project goa...
3 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.