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 Mechanical Design Engineer (Structures & Thermal Protection Integration)
$110K - $130K *
Drive the design and development of critical flight vehicle structures, focusing on high-temperature components and thermal protection systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure perfo...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Structures & Thermal Protection Integration)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by designing critical flight vehicle structures for hypersonic systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and performance under extreme condition...
2 weeks ago
Senior Designer - Footwear (Performance)
$107K - $141K *
Champion innovative footwear design by collaborating with cross-functional teams to create advanced product solutions that meet evolving athlete needs while aligning with brand vision and sustainabili...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in project management and team leadership, fostering client relationships and ensuring quality delivery. Drive innovation and profitability while mentoring staff and managing complex p...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Lead project management initiatives while mentoring teams and enhancing client relationships. Utilize your expertise to ensure superior service delivery, effective risk management, and achievement of...
Reposted yesterday
Sr Electrical Computer-aided Design (ECAD) Specialist
$90K - $97K *
Elevate your career by leveraging your expertise in PCB design and documentation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions in high-frequency and digital signal processin...
5 days ago
$88K - $94K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Interior Designer, leading innovative projects in Workplace, K-12, and Hospitality sectors. Drive design quality, mentor teams, and collaborate with clients to create...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate the gaming experience by crafting immersive environments for a groundbreaking horror title. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create stunning 3D assets and ensure technical excellence while s...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of architecture by leading diverse projects from inception to completion. Utilize your expertise in construction and project management to ensure timely delivery and high-quality stan...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $98K *
Champion innovative interior design solutions by leading projects from concept to completion, collaborating with clients and teams to enhance public spaces through thoughtful design and material selec...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $200K *
Drive the evolution of digital experiences by leading design for web, editorial, and interactive platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate brand strategies into compelling user j...
Reposted 1 week ago
$135K - $200K *
Transform digital experiences by leading the design of web and editorial platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling, user-centered designs that elevate brand identity and...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $110K *
Transform creative visions into reality by leading design projects, mentoring teams, and collaborating with clients. Drive strategic branding initiatives while ensuring high-quality deliverables in a...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Development
$95K - $143K *
Innovate in metal lightweighting by leading design and R&D projects, creating advanced product designs, optimizing processes, and collaborating with vendors to enhance manufacturability while supporti...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $110K *
Lead critical initiatives in Virtual Design and Construction to enhance project delivery, collaborating closely with teams across design and construction phases while championing innovative digital pr...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $110K *
Transform project delivery by leading Virtual Design and Construction efforts. Collaborate with teams to implement innovative digital practices, ensuring seamless integration from design to constructi...
2 weeks ago
Hardware Physical Design Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Lead the charge in high-speed multi-gigabit SerDes PHY designs, overseeing RTL to GDS processes, including synthesis, place and route, and physical verification, while collaborating with global teams...
Reposted 4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing and implementing innovative power generation projects. Collaborate with a multi-discipline team to deliver high-quality mechanical engineering solutions for utility-scale...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping intuitive AI experiences through user-centered design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex AI capabilities into accessible solutions that drive busi...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Drive enterprise security architecture initiatives, collaborating with business leaders to design innovative solutions that enhance data protection and compliance across large-scale environments, ensu...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Deliver engaging, user-centered designs for landing pages and campaigns. Lead projects from concept to launch, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product discovery and customer exper...
3 days ago
Senior Design Engineer - Electromagnetic (R&D)
$110K - $130K *
Empower innovation by leading the design of custom motors for humanoid robots. Drive advanced electromagnetic solutions from concept to production, collaborating with cross-functional teams and extern...
1 week ago
$130K - $200K *
Join a team that's pioneering the development of a cloud-based platform for advanced materials. Collaborate across disciplines to design innovative solutions while leading engineering efforts and shap...
1 week ago
$92K - $135K *
Take ownership of developing innovative software tools and firmware for advanced systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance data management and testing capabilities, ensuring high-quality sol...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading BIM model ownership and coordination for electrical projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure model quality, mentor junior staff, and drive project success from kickoff to...
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.