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 CGI Generalist - Automotive & Product
$120K - $135K *
Innovate your CGI expertise by creating stunning automotive and product visuals. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver photorealistic imagery for premium beverage brands, blending traditional tec...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Innovate landscape solutions by leading projects through all design phases, training junior designers, and collaborating with clients and stakeholders to shape sustainable environments that enhance co...
Reposted 1 week ago
$115K - $269K *
Optimize user experiences by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance Payload's integration in product workflows, while advocating for community insights to drive product evolution and eng...
Reposted 6 days ago
$115K - $269K *
Elevate user experiences by collaborating with cross-functional teams to champion Payload. Leverage design expertise and community insights to drive product evolution and enhance go-to-market strategi...
Reposted 6 days ago
$137K - $195K *
Unlock your creativity as you develop visionary 3D concepts for space projects. Collaborate with engineers and artists to produce compelling visuals that inspire and attract investment, ensuring a coh...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of commercial interiors by designing innovative spaces. Collaborate with clients and sales teams to deliver tailored furniture solutions using CET and AutoCAD, while managing complex...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $125K *
Shape your career by driving project success in mechanical design, focusing on HVAC systems across diverse sectors. Leverage your expertise to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions, ensuring co...
Reposted 3 days ago
$102K - $120K *
Help us deliver innovative 3D and 2D designs for mining projects, ensuring effective collaboration across disciplines while mentoring junior designers and maintaining project timelines and quality sta...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative design solutions, mentoring talent, and collaborating on large-scale projects while ensuring design excellence in a dynamic environment built on creativity an...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to develop innovative, luxury card designs that elevate brand identity. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure visual excellence and compliance while creating stunnin...
Reposted 1 week ago
$83K - $128K *
Lead the charge in advanced CNC programming, driving standards and innovation while coaching teams to optimize processes and enhance productivity across high-value projects...
1 week ago
Sr. Mechanical Designer @ NDBS
$88K - $105K *
Drive innovative HVAC designs by leveraging your 10+ years of expertise in mechanical design. Collaborate with engineers and mentor junior designers to ensure high-quality, efficient systems from conc...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the development of detailed electrical designs and documentation for a major upgrade project, collaborating with engineers and project managers to ensure manufacturable products meet technical re...
1 week ago
$100K - $140K *
Shape your career by leading project teams, driving design execution, and mentoring junior architects. Collaborate with clients and consultants to deliver innovative architectural solutions while ensu...
1 week ago
Senior Mechanical Systems Designer
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by designing mechanical systems for automated production lines. Collaborate with engineers to create innovative solutions, ensuring manufacturability and performance from concept to p...
3 weeks ago
$91K - $105K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of architecture by developing innovative designs and construction documents for complex projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality and p...
1 week ago
$81K - $108K *
Unlock innovative manufacturing solutions as a key member of our Automation team, collaborating on projects that shape the future of automation. Your expertise will help drive efficiency and ensure de...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Join us to lead innovative design solutions across multiple projects, translating client aspirations into compelling built environments. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure design excellence and...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Optimize electrical designs for battery systems, collaborating with engineers to create accurate schematics and documentation. Ensure manufacturability and compliance while maintaining high standards...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Inspire creative excellence as a Senior Designer, collaborating across teams to elevate brand storytelling through impactful design in both digital and print formats, fostering an environment of innov...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Team Lead -3D Modeling & Virtual Simulation
$95K - $115K *
Drive your career forward by leading 3D modeling and virtual simulation initiatives. Oversee project execution, manage timelines, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver high-quality assets and s...
3 weeks ago
Senior Team Lead -3D Modeling & Virtual Simulation
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of 3D modeling and virtual simulation. Lead daily operations, provide technical direction, and ensure project success while collaborating with Government stakehol...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $130K *
Champion innovative design solutions by integrating AI into user experiences, driving product evolution through collaboration with cross-functional teams, and enhancing customer engagement across dive...
1 week ago
$100K - $130K *
Champion innovative mechanical design solutions in 3D for mining and industrial projects. Lead a talented team, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards while driving continuous improveme...
1 week ago
Industrial Designer - Entry Level
$90K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team to design innovative products from concept to production, collaborating with engineers and designers to enhance user experiences and ensure aesthetic quality in a fast-paced enviro...
5 days 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.