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 *
Join a team that's dedicated to innovative design and project excellence. Contribute your expertise in all phases of architecture, from documentation to client management, while thriving in a supporti...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $170K *
Join us to develop innovative mechanical systems for nuclear applications, ensuring safety and performance through design, analysis, and testing. Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to deliver...
5 days ago
$127K - $209K *
Optimize rendering solutions and enhance visual fidelity in a cutting-edge game environment. Collaborate with engineers and artists to push the boundaries of graphics performance and memory utilizatio...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Elevate the future of technology by leading a dynamic development team, driving innovation in application architecture, and aligning tech strategies with business goals across multiple operations and...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of automotive design through innovative 3D modeling and collaboration. Engage in the complete design process, ensuring precision and compliance while developing c...
1 week ago
$97K - $146K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative Living environments by leading architectural design and technical development for high-quality residential projects, ensuring excellence in functionality and clie...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $155K *
Elevate your career by leading plumbing and fire protection design projects. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality, code-compliant solutions while mentoring junior staff and maintaining clien...
1 week ago
$85K - $100K *
Design innovative electrical drawing packages for advanced flight simulators. Collaborate with production teams to ensure cost-effective integration of cutting-edge technologies for training fighter p...
Reposted 3 days ago
Mechanical Design Engineer III (GA)
$95K - $115K *
Transform production engineering by providing hands-on mechanical design support for ruggedized displays and electronics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues, drive correcti...
2 weeks ago
COLUMBIA Program Supervisor - Design
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing design tasks for the COLUMBIA Class Program, ensuring effective execution, financial performance, and stakeholder alignment while overcoming technical and financial challen...
3 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Join us to lead the design of electrical and control systems for semiconductor equipment. You'll develop schematics, ensure compliance with safety standards, and drive engineering projects with a focu...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Innovate within critical facilities by ensuring mechanical systems are operable and maintainable. Engage in design reviews, construction verification, and commissioning to support seamless operations...
Reposted yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Engage with clients to build and maintain bespoke full stack applications, balancing technical expertise with customer empathy. Drive product decisions from discovery to implementation while fostering...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to building bespoke full stack applications, balancing technical expertise with customer empathy. Drive product decisions and collaborate closely with clients to deliver i...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative 3D printing materials, managing complex projects from concept to launch. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure timely deliver...
1 week ago
$100K - $150K *
Drive the development and launch of innovative 3D printing materials, coordinating cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure timely delivery and quality. Leverage project management exper...
1 week ago
Mechanical Design Engineer Level 3/ 4
$89K - $167K *
Advance your career by designing innovative launcher hardware for Navy platforms. Collaborate with engineers to develop concepts, generate models, and support fabrication in a dynamic environment focu...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $150K *
Inspire innovation as a Structural Design Engineer, collaborating on cutting-edge energy technology. Lead the design of critical subsystems within industrial heat batteries, ensuring performance, safe...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Systems Design Engineer
$136K - $258K *
Transform the future of technology by collaborating with engineers to develop cutting-edge GPU/CPU/SoC products across various industries, ensuring optimal performance, cost, and schedule while leadin...
3 weeks ago
Product UI/UX Designer- Cascadience
$80K - $95K *
Optimize user experiences across mobile platforms by translating complex AI functionalities into intuitive designs. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to create accessible, engaging, and neurod...
Reposted 4 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Transform project outcomes by leading electrical engineering designs for diverse sectors, ensuring compliance with codes while mentoring junior team members and enhancing quality through innovative so...
Reposted yesterday
Design Release Engineer - Interiors - GM Defense
$95K - $115K *
Drive the design and development of vehicle interiors, ensuring robust solutions from concept to launch. Collaborate cross-functionally to meet customer and program requirements while managing multipl...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower project teams by leading BIM implementation and digital workflows. Drive technical excellence, mentor staff, and enhance project delivery through innovative practices and standards, ensuring a...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion clarity and engagement by crafting in-product language across platforms. Collaborate with designers and engineers to enhance user experience, ensuring AI interactions are intuitive and inform...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive clarity and engagement by crafting in-product language across platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape user experiences, ensuring consistency and understanding in AI interacti...
4 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.