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.
$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 *
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
Senior Teamcenter PLM Solution Architect & Discovery Lead
$150K - $180K *
Engage with stakeholders to assess and transform PLM processes, guiding the implementation of Siemens Teamcenter solutions. Leverage extensive experience to define architecture, manage risks, and ensu...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Innovate civil engineering solutions for diverse water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage project components, and provide mentorship while ensuring compliance wi...
Today
$80K - $95K *
Pioneer innovative civil engineering solutions for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, evaluate, and implement infrastructure systems while mentoring jun...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality design projects, managing client relationships, and leading consulting studies for capital projects up to $75 million, ensuring excellence in pe...
Reposted yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Lead project teams to deliver innovative engineering solutions, ensuring quality, cost, and delivery standards are met. Drive project success through effective management, mentorship, and communicatio...
5 days ago
DOD Secret Cleared- Design Engineer- Creo Jr-MID-SR
$80K - $95K *
Lead the design and development of advanced mechanical test systems, optimizing production testing environments. Collaborate on innovative solutions to ensure performance and reliability in cutting-ed...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of electrical design by leading complex projects, mentoring CAD professionals, and ensuring compliance with industry standards while utilizing advanced CAD tools...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape creative strategies by leading end-to-end development, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with business goals. Manage teams and oversee projects to deliver high-quality, impactful content...
1 week ago
$75K - $110K *
Engineer mechanical systems for innovative spacecraft, managing the design lifecycle from concept to testing. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure flight readiness and reliability...
Reposted 5 days ago
Project Manager - Interior Design
$80K - $90K *
Elevate design excellence as you lead custom residential projects, managing all phases from concept to completion. Collaborate with clients and teams to create stunning interiors while ensuring budget...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower innovation by leading engineering efforts for Wireless Data Core platforms. Collaborate across teams to enhance 5G, LTE, and IoT solutions, ensuring seamless integration and performance in a d...
1 week ago
Architectural Technical Specialist
$100K - $120K *
Elevate project outcomes by collaborating with design teams, ensuring technical accuracy, and overseeing project deliverables. Leverage expertise to support planning, compliance, and quality assurance...
5 days ago
Architectural Technical Specialist
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality design projects by providing technical expertise and ensuring compliance with codes and standards. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance pro...
5 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Shape the future of electrical design by developing innovative solutions for onshore facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while enhancing s...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your skills in PCB design by collaborating with experts to create innovative embedded systems that enhance national security. This role emphasizes advanced circuit layout, testing, and debuggi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Manager, Hardware Design
$120K - $145K *
Empower a team of engineers to design and develop cutting-edge robotic hardware solutions. Lead mechanical engineering initiatives, drive technical strategy, and ensure seamless integration of advance...
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.