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.
$80K - $95K *
Engineer impactful projects by defining clear work packages, translating customer needs into technical specifications, and leading teams through delivery and commissioning phases. Collaborate across a...
2 weeks ago
Electrical Technologist/Designer
$75K - $95K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of electrical design by developing innovative solutions, preparing detailed drawings, and collaborating with diverse engineering disciplines to ensure project suc...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Mechanical Design
$95K - $115K *
Drive mechanical design excellence for mission-critical facilities, overseeing project execution and mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure accurate construction document...
Reposted 5 days ago
Sr. Visual Designer, MAI Creative Studio
$110K - $130K *
Elevate brand expression through innovative visual design across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling narratives and lead projects from concept to execution, e...
1 week ago
Sr. Visual Designer, MAI Creative Studio
$120K - $145K *
Transform brand expression by leading innovative visual design projects across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate creative direction and deliver high-quality, narrativ...
1 week ago
Sr. Visual Designer, MAI Creative Studio
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative visual design projects that enhance brand expression across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling narratives and high...
1 week ago
$127K - $190K *
Lead the design and evolution of player progression and engagement systems, collaborating across teams to enhance player experiences in a dynamic, live-service environment. Drive impactful design from...
1 week ago
Tooling Mechanical Design Engineer, Amazon Leo
$96K - $160K *
Transform satellite tooling development by designing, analyzing, and implementing custom equipment for assembly and testing. Collaborate across teams to ensure high standards and innovative solutions...
3 days ago
Directeur Principal, Architecture et Design
$100K - $120K *
Transform the architectural vision and design standards across diverse projects, ensuring creativity and operational functionality while leading teams and managing external partners to enhance custome...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize tool design and fabrication processes by leveraging your 3+ years of Catia expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance manufacturability and ensure compliance with industry standards while m...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on tool design and fabrication. Leverage your expertise in 3D modeling and industry standards to enhance product development and process improvements in a...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Design innovative electrical systems and integrated drawings, collaborating with engineers to achieve project goals while mentoring junior designers and ensuring quality compliance throughout the proc...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$150K - $190K *
Transform water management solutions by leading design teams in municipal projects. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project success while enhancing client relationships and driving strategic g...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $190K *
Engage in leading project delivery for water and wastewater initiatives, collaborating with teams to achieve client objectives while driving strategic growth in West Florida's municipal markets. Foste...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $190K *
Lead and manage project delivery in the municipal water sector, collaborating with teams to achieve client objectives. Drive strategic growth initiatives while ensuring quality and compliance in water...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Design Engineer Level 3/4
$103K - $193K *
Unlock your potential as a Mechanical Design Engineer, driving innovative launcher hardware development for Navy platforms. Collaborate with a dynamic team, balancing technical and cost requirements w...
3 weeks ago
Mechanical Design Engineer Level 3/4
$98K - $185K *
Contribute to innovative launcher hardware development for Navy platforms. Collaborate with engineering teams, generate designs, and oversee execution of engineering tasks, while ensuring adherence to...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Director of Design - Telecommunications
$125K - $150K *
Transform design leadership in telecommunications by enhancing processes, ensuring quality, and fostering team accountability. Drive operational excellence while delivering accurate, timely design pac...
6 days ago
Senior Engineer, Data & Perception
$180K - $230K *
Join a dynamic team to build and implement data infrastructure and perception systems for automation in manufacturing. Drive innovation by transforming production lines into data-driven environments t...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Take ownership of complex avionics PCB layouts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality hardware for hypersonic missile systems. Drive design decisions and ensure compliance...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer the design and release of complex avionics PCBs for hypersonic systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure flight-worthy hardware delivery while driving continuous improvement i...
2 weeks ago
$185K - $230K *
Advance your career by leading agile design projects that craft intuitive web and mobile tools, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional user experiences from concept to pixel...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower the future of construction accounting by designing intuitive workflows and systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and advocate for customer needs in a dyn...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $150K *
Lead the charge in managing projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality standards while fostering strong client relationships and team collaboration...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering projects safely and on time. Lead from preconstruction to closeout, managing schedules, budgets, and client relationships while ensuring quality and safety s...
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.