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.
$110K - $120K *
Innovate by leading the design process from concept to prototype, ensuring alignment with market trends and brand identity while fostering collaboration across teams and mentoring junior designers...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in executing product strategy by collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions that meet customer needs and drive business success through agile...
4 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Empower our provider team's mission by designing innovative tools for therapists. You'll create streamlined solutions that enhance patient care, drive efficiency, and leverage technology while collabo...
Reposted 1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in designing cutting-edge infrastructure for large-scale AI deployments. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless execution from concept to construction, maintaining...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $110K *
Lead the creative vision for healthcare brands, transforming complex information into compelling visual narratives while mentoring junior designers and collaborating across teams to deliver innovative...
3 weeks ago
Design Engineer Level 3 (23040-1)
$149K *
Drive the charge in designing advanced components and systems, enhancing product development and manufacturing processes while collaborating across teams to ensure design integrity and compliance with...
1 week ago
Mechanical Engineer III - Design
$97K - $139K *
Join a team that's pioneering advanced engineering solutions, focusing on design, analysis, and manufacturing processes for cutting-edge aerospace systems. Collaborate with experts to innovate and opt...
1 week ago
$95K - $110K *
Drive project success by managing engineering initiatives from kickoff to delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, budget, and timelines are met while maintaining strong co...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in VDC delivery across a regional portfolio of commercial construction projects. Set execution standards, manage a team of VDC professionals, and ensure field-relevant results while fo...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
$112K - $135K *
Transform surgical outcomes by designing innovative accessories for robotic systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and manufacturability, ensuring customer satisfa...
3 weeks ago
$105K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional architectural projects. Oversee project financial performance, manage teams, and ensure effective communication from inception to completion whil...
1 week ago
Digital Modeling & MBSE Engineer (Secret clearance)
$121K - $177K *
Transform the future of space sensing by integrating digital models and systems engineering expertise to support critical defense capabilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver inno...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading complex electrical design projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring compliance and p...
5 days ago
$92K - $129K *
Drive the artistic vision by creating compelling concept art that shapes the game's visual identity. Collaborate with teams to develop original designs, ensuring alignment with creative briefs and ind...
1 week ago
Mechanical Designers & Checkers-Kiewit Nuclear Solutions-Multiple Locations
$133K - $139K *
Lead the charge in innovative mechanical and piping design for nuclear projects, ensuring safety and efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality designs that meet clien...
Yesterday
$88K - $105K *
Manage and coordinate K-12 education projects from design to completion, ensuring quality control, compliance, and effective communication with clients and teams throughout all phases of project devel...
5 days ago
Senior Product Designer, Prime Video
$137K - $186K *
Transform the future of marketing with AI-driven design solutions. Lead the design of innovative products that enhance user trust and streamline campaign management, ensuring a seamless blend of autom...
1 week ago
Senior Body Mechanical Engineer
$146K - $194K *
Take ownership of the Body subsystem for a maritime autonomous vehicle, leading design and integration of structural, propulsion, and buoyancy systems from concept to production while managing budgets...
2 weeks ago
$122K - $150K *
Support the design and maintenance of a global virtual desktop environment, serving as the SME for troubleshooting and optimizing performance while collaborating across multiple complex production env...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead product development for innovative portable machining tools, guiding cross-functional teams through the entire lifecycle from concept to market launch, while enhancing customer experience and dri...
2 weeks ago
Structural Project Designer - Nuclear
$94K - $143K *
Lead the charge in developing structural designs using advanced modeling software. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to create detailed drawings and resolve design challenges, ensuring timely...
1 week ago
Mechanical Designer II (Engineer)
$80K - $90K *
Empower your career as you lead design projects for custom switchgear products, ensuring quality and compliance with industry standards while mentoring a collaborative team in a dynamic environment...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of mission-critical hardware by leading cross-discipline engineering teams. Drive product development of high-power RF solutions while ensuring compliance, managing risks, and meeting...
1 week ago
User Experience (UX) Designer & Researcher
$100K - $130K *
Join a team that's transforming user experiences for government applications. Collaborate with stakeholders to design intuitive, accessible interfaces and conduct user research that enhances usability...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $135K *
Join a team that's dedicated to supporting large-scale heavy civil infrastructure projects. You'll ensure compliance with CADD standards, maintain drawing sets, and collaborate on complex designs, enh...
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.