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3D Game Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Electronic Arts

$100 - $125/hr

Work with other designers on to improve multiple parts of Apex * Playtest frequently and provide ... Solid technical understanding of scripting and 3D action game fundamentals * Strong track record in ...

Jam City

Principal 3D Generalist

San Francisco, CA

$75K - $120K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... Foresee technical issues with concept designs. * Establish art pipelines for new features and types ...

Jam City

Principal 3D Generalist

San Francisco, CA

$75K - $120K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... Foresee technical issues with concept designs. * Establish art pipelines for new features and types ...

Jam City

Principal 3D Generalist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... Foresee technical issues with concept designs. * Establish art pipelines for new features and types ...

Evening Star

Art Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

... Designer, etc.) * A strong portfolio showcasing recent professional or personal work * A deep understanding of 3D environment, 3D character, UI, and VFX art pipelines * Expert knowledge of game ...

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3D Game Designer information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$154K

How much do 3d game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d game designer in California is $147,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,000.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a 3d game designer do?

A 3D Game Designer is responsible for creating the visual and interactive elements of a video game, focusing on level design, character models, environments, and gameplay mechanics. They work closely with artists, programmers, and writers to shape the game's look and feel while ensuring an engaging player experience. Using software like Blender, Maya, or Unity, they develop 3D assets, textures, and animations. Their role often includes prototyping, testing, and refining game elements to align with the overall vision and technical constraints.

What does a typical workday look like for a 3d game designer?

A typical workday for a 3D Game Designer involves collaborating with artists, programmers, and writers to bring game environments and characters to life, creating assets using 3D software, and iteratively refining designs based on feedback. Designers often attend team meetings to discuss project progress, adjust features for gameplay balance, and ensure visual consistency throughout the game. Time is also spent testing levels or assets in-engine to troubleshoot visual or technical issues. This dynamic workflow requires flexibility, attention to detail, and frequent communication with other departments to create a polished final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the 3d game designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Game Designer, you need a solid understanding of 3D modeling, animation, game mechanics, and level design, typically supported by a degree in game design, computer graphics, or a related field. Experience with industry-standard tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, or Maya is essential, and certifications in these platforms are advantageous. Creativity, strong collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help designers share and implement innovative ideas within multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for turning concepts into engaging, visually appealing, and technically sound game experiences.

How much do 3D game designers make in the US?

The average salary for a 3D game designer in the US is around $70,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Entry-level designers typically earn less, while experienced professionals with strong portfolios and proficiency in tools like Maya or Blender can earn higher salaries.

Is there a high demand for 3D game designers?

The demand for 3D game designers remains strong due to the growth of the gaming industry and increased investment in immersive experiences like virtual reality. Skilled designers with proficiency in tools such as Blender, Maya, or Unity are sought after by game development studios and entertainment companies, leading to steady job opportunities.

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Game Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of 3D Game Designer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to 3D Game Designer jobs in California?

For 3D Game Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching 3D Game Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for 3D Game Designer jobs in California are:

3D Game Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Game Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,165 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

3D Game Artist, Platform Architecture

Apple

Santa Clara, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 27 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Create and compose believable 3D environments that run smoothly.

  • Collaborate closely with artists, designers, and engineers to define the look of projects.

  • Develop content, features, and workflows for all phases of production using the proprietary engine and tools.

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 684 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Have you shipped AAA games? Are you an expert in 3D environment art? Do you enjoy concepting, lighting, animating and bringing 3D environments to life? Then our small multi-disciplinary team of veteran game developers is curious to talk to you about how you could contribute to projects utilizing our proprietary cross-platform game engine and tools.
Description
As an Artist on the Tools & Technology team, you will contribute with your strong 3D artistic background and talents to developing content, features and workflows for all phases of production using the bespoke engine and its tools in collaboration with designers and engineers.","responsibilities":"Adopt a broad range of styles from realistic to highly stylized based on goals and direction for a given project in order to produce art in all phases of production with an appropriate sense of color, drama, shape language, personality, and design.
Perform research necessary to support visual development.
Develop and concept visual styles and build prototypes.
Create and compose believable 3D environments that run smoothly.
Collaborate closely with the artists, designers and engineers to define the look of our projects.
Preferred Qualifications
10+ years of experience working as a 3D artist in the games industry.
Contributed to the development of two or more shipped games, PC or console.
Strong artistic foundation in design, composition, color and lighting.
Strong understanding of asset workflows in all stages of production.
Strong narrative and environmental story telling skills with regards to set dressing and world building.
Passion for games.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent job-related experience.
Experience as a 3D artist in the games industry including experience modeling, sculpting, material creation and/or lighting.
Experience with look development.
Experience with industry-standard 3D software packages.
Experience with physically based material workflows.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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