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.
Standard Cell Design Methodology & Flow Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Optimize cutting-edge processor design by collaborating with teams to enhance production flows, implement digital blocks, and analyze circuit trends using advanced data techniques and machine learning...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Design Engineer 2/3
$83K - $125K *
Contribute to innovative designs for naval propulsion systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop and evaluate turbine generator components, ensuring high-quality engineering solutions for the...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to design innovative embedded software for medical products, ensuring a seamless user experience. Collaborate with designers and product managers to create high-quality solutions t...
Yesterday
Sr. Staff Thermal Design Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Seeking an experienced Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design and validation for advanced AI computing platforms, focusing on liquid cooling systems and thermal-fluid dynamics to ensure optimal perfo...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive the successful design and delivery of complex engineering projects, ensuring alignment with performance, quality, and safety standards while managing resources and timelines effectively througho...
5 days ago
$150K - $250K *
Transform complex engineering challenges into high-impact product designs. Lead cross-domain teams to ensure robust system architecture and drive technical readiness, all while championing product per...
1 week ago
$88K - $110K *
Elevate user experiences by designing intuitive digital interfaces that enhance engagement and operational efficiency. Collaborate across teams to create impactful solutions in the healthcare technolo...
1 week ago
Design Manager - Advanced Electronics
$125K - $182K *
Lead the integration of design and construction teams to deliver coordinated, cost-effective designs. Drive advanced delivery models, ensuring project readiness and effective risk management while fos...
2 weeks ago
Design Manager - Advanced Electronics
$125K - $182K *
Drive the integration of design and construction teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions. Lead advanced delivery models, ensuring project readiness and alignment with design intent while...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize manufacturing processes by leading projects and mentoring teams to enhance production efficiency. Drive success through problem-solving and innovative solutions while ensuring quality and saf...
Reposted 2 days ago
Project Architect - Manufacturing
$165K - $210K *
Lead the way in delivering innovative ASIC and SoC manufacturing solutions. Oversee customer projects, define technical specifications, and engage with cross-functional teams to drive excellence in se...
Reposted today
Project Architect - Manufacturing
$165K - $210K *
Shape customer-focused projects by overseeing technical and commercial solutions in semiconductor manufacturing. Collaborate across teams to define project scope and deliver on packaging, testing, and...
Reposted today
$115K *
Join a dynamic team to lead creative vision and storytelling across diverse projects, driving impactful content strategies and managing a talented team to elevate brand presence in real estate, hospit...
5 days ago
Strategic Design Engineering, Global Supply Manager - Mechanicals
$120K - $145K *
Transform product development by collaborating with engineering and suppliers to optimize design for manufacturability and cost. Drive excellence in mechanical components, ensuring quality and sustain...
2 weeks ago
Camera/Imaging Engineer - LWIR
$110K - $130K *
Join us in designing and integrating innovative thermal imaging systems into gimbal platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize optical performance from concept through production...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower engineering teams by leading CAD operations and mentoring staff. Drive the production of high-quality drawings and 3D models for rail projects, ensuring adherence to client standards while del...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform product development by designing and industrializing innovative processes that enhance customer satisfaction and maximize business value, while ensuring compliance with quality standards and...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative products from concept to production, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and performance. This hands-on role requires a motivated engin...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Optimize complex Aerospace & Defense programs from planning to delivery. Lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and ensure customer satisfaction while navigating multi-year manufacturing challen...
2 weeks ago
Technical Product Manager, Onshape Ecommerce & CPQ Platforms
$120K - $180K *
Shape the future of e-commerce by driving integration and enhancements for Onshape's purchasing systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize user experiences and streamline operations in a dyna...
2 weeks ago
UX Product Designer, National Security
$150K - $200K *
Transform user experiences by designing intuitive interfaces for autonomous systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create reliable, trust-building solutions that enhance operator decision...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Designer, Finance- Assistant Vice President
$85K - $110K *
Join us to create compelling visual communications that translate complex financial concepts into engaging designs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate brand identity and deliver high-q...
2 weeks ago
Graphic Designer, Finance- Assistant Vice President
$125K - $140K *
Lead the charge in creating compelling visual communications that translate complex financial concepts into engaging designs for B2B audiences, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ele...
2 weeks ago
Engineer 3 -- Design Engineering -- Mechanical
$86K - $136K *
Engineer innovative solutions and conduct independent evaluations in design engineering. Collaborate with teams to apply engineering techniques, ensuring compliance with technical requirements and pol...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative design solutions while managing multiple projects, collaborating with teams, and ensuring high-quality documentation from concept through construction in a dynamic studio environme...
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.