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.
$85K - $101K *
Optimize robotics manufacturing by programming CNC machines for precision components. Collaborate with engineers and machinists to ensure high-quality parts meet specifications for advanced robotic sy...
3 days ago
Mechanical Design Engineer, Staff
$104K - $194K *
Advance your career by supporting the F-35 EOTS sensor team, driving mechanical design solutions, and collaborating across engineering and production teams to ensure high-quality outcomes in a fast-pa...
1 week ago
$68K - $122K *
Drive impactful architectural design efforts while leading the production of construction documents. Collaborate on complex projects, mentor junior designers, and ensure quality and compliance across...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $140K *
Transform your career by leading innovative digital design for a global fitness client. Collaborate with creative teams to deliver exceptional social media content that captivates and engages audience...
3 days ago
Product Design Engineer - Watch
$110K - $130K *
Advance innovation by joining a dynamic team of Mechanical Engineers to design and develop cutting-edge wearable technology. Collaborate across disciplines to create the next generation of advanced pr...
2 days ago
$159K - $272K *
The Staff Product Designer will be responsible for the end-to-end design of internal tools and platforms that enhance productivity for TikTok's global employees. This role involves collaborating with...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Creative Director| Director, Design (Hybrid)
$140K - $160K *
Drive brand identity and visual strategy while collaborating across teams to craft engaging, high-impact experiences for both internal and partner brands. Lead the creative direction and ensure cohesi...
Reposted 2 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Lead the charge in crafting immersive gameplay experiences by transforming design concepts into engaging narratives. Collaborate with teams to ensure high-quality execution from initial layouts to fin...
5 days ago
$124K - $174K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on pioneering sustainable lunar infrastructure. Utilize your expertise in PCB layout and design to contribute to groundbreaking aerospace projects...
2 weeks ago
$124K - $174K *
Unlock your potential as you design high-performance PCBs for aerospace applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and safety in groundbreaking space missions. Join us i...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical - Electrical Design Engineer
$68K - $102K *
Join a team that's dedicated to engineering excellence, ensuring technical accuracy and quality compliance in design and documentation. Collaborate across functions to drive project success and suppor...
2 weeks ago
Product and Marketing Designer
$160K - $195K *
Elevate user experiences by designing impactful product and marketing assets. Collaborate closely with teams to create cohesive brand visuals, iterate based on performance metrics, and deliver high-qu...
2 weeks ago
Product and Marketing Designer
$160K - $195K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role focused on product and marketing design. Collaborate closely with teams to create impactful user experiences and visually compelling assets that drive engagement a...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion the deployment of AI-powered hardware systems in real-world venues. Take ownership of end-to-end projects, from coding to on-site troubleshooting, while engaging with customers and influencin...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Pioneer innovative design solutions in aerospace and defense. Lead complex projects, ensuring quality and compliance while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Utilize advanced CAD tools and me...
2 weeks ago
CAD Engineer, Counter Intrusion
$132K - $175K *
Take ownership of CAD design quality within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high standards for ruggedized hardware products. Collaborate with engineers to enhance documentation and support producti...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in innovative piping design, managing projects from concept to completion while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions in the Oil & Gas sector. Em...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on software engineering for synthetic environments. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance and troubleshoot systems, while leveraging your C...
4 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's focused on innovative firearm design and product development. This role combines technical leadership with collaborative engineering to enhance existing products while guiding and m...
Reposted today
$95K - $115K *
Elevate the design process by researching trends and collaborating with teams to create innovative, sustainable products that resonate with customers and reflect market demands. Drive concept developm...
1 week ago
Design Engineer II - Hand Tools
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your engineering career by driving innovative design solutions for hand tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop products that meet customer needs and enhance performance whil...
3 weeks ago
$74K - $114K *
Champion innovative product designs by collaborating with cross-functional teams, conducting analyses, and producing technical specifications to ensure safety, quality, and performance standards are m...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of cloud-native network design by driving the development, integration, and testing of advanced Data Metering & Signaling platforms. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless servic...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing public safety through innovative emergency services. Leverage your technical expertise and collaborative spirit to design, maintain, and evolve critical commu...
1 week ago
$115K - $138K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative architectural solutions through all project phases. Leverage your expertise to lead diverse teams, ensuring high-quality delivery and technical excellence in a co...
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.