Senior water and wastewater engineers help communities and organizations plan, design, and improve the systems that deliver clean water and safely manage wastewater. These experienced professionals lead technical work across treatment plants, pipelines, pump stations, and other critical infrastructure. Explore vetted senior engineering opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
Responsibilities vary by employer and project, but senior engineers commonly evaluate existing systems, develop engineering plans, prepare technical reports, and guide projects from early studies through construction. They may oversee process, civil, or hydraulic design; review calculations and drawings; coordinate permitting; and support construction administration and commissioning. Many roles also involve mentoring engineers and working closely with clients, utilities, contractors, and regulators.
Employers typically seek a degree in civil, environmental, or a related engineering field, along with substantial experience in water or wastewater projects. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is often preferred or required, particularly for roles that involve approving engineering work. Valuable qualifications include knowledge of treatment processes, hydraulic modeling, design standards, regulatory requirements, project management, and technical communication.
Senior water/wastewater engineers work for engineering consultancies, water utilities, public agencies, and infrastructure organizations. Depending on the employer, they may specialize in drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, collection and distribution systems, reuse, stormwater, or resilient infrastructure. Experienced engineers can advance into principal engineer, technical director, department manager, or project executive positions.
Search Ladders for senior water and wastewater engineering roles that match your expertise, location, and career goals. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced engineers explore their next career move.
Senior Water Wastewater Engineer/Project Manager
$110K - $180K *
Unlock innovative solutions as a Senior Project Manager, leading water and wastewater initiatives. Collaborate with a top-tier team to drive growth and deliver impactful projects across the Hampton Ro...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Engage in impactful municipal water and wastewater projects by leading multidisciplinary teams, managing project delivery, and ensuring technical excellence in design and execution while fostering str...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$140K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water management by leading innovative water/wastewater projects, mentoring engineers, and enhancing client relationships while ensuring project success and su...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$140K - $180K *
Champion innovative water/wastewater solutions by leading project teams, managing client relationships, and mentoring junior engineers to ensure successful project delivery and business performance in...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as a senior technical leader in hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, focusing on wastewater and stormwater systems. Drive excellence through mentoring, technical reviews, and innova...
Today
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by leading hydraulic and hydrologic modelling projects. Drive technical excellence, mentor emerging talent, and collaborate on impactful solutions for urban water systems across No...
Today
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join our team to lead hydraulic and hydrologic modelling projects, mentoring junior staff while ensuring technical excellence in wastewater and stormwater systems. Collaborate across North America to...
Today
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing hydraulic and hydrologic modelling. In this hands-on leadership role, you'll mentor staff, solve complex modelling challenges, and ensure technical excellence...
Today
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing hydraulic and hydrologic modelling. In this senior role, you'll lead complex projects, mentor emerging talent, and ensure technical excellence across municipa...
Today
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing hydraulic and hydrologic modelling. In this senior role, you'll lead complex projects, mentor emerging talent, and ensure technical excellence across municipa...
Today
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$87K - $152K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative water and environmental projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and deliver resilient solutions while mentoring junior engineers and ensurin...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer/Project Manager
$140K - $180K *
Join a team that's leading municipal drinking water projects, focusing on innovative solutions for lead service line replacements and water distribution infrastructure. Leverage your expertise to ment...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer/Project Manager
$140K - $180K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative municipal drinking water projects, focusing on lead service line replacements and infrastructure improvements. Oversee project execution, mentor teams, and str...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer/Project Manager
$140K - $180K *
Elevate municipal water projects by leading innovative solutions in drinking water infrastructure. Manage multidisciplinary teams, enhance client relationships, and drive project success from planning...
1 week ago
Senior Water Treatment Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Deliver innovative solutions as a senior process engineer, managing water treatment projects. Collaborate with diverse teams and clients, ensuring compliance and quality while driving project success...
2 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$135K - $140K *
Deliver innovative engineering solutions for water/wastewater projects, utilizing advanced design software and strong analytical skills. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects mee...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$98K - $127K *
Empower your career by leading innovative water/wastewater projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure quality, efficiency, and budget adherence while enhancing comm...
3 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing water and wastewater projects, overseeing design teams, ensuring quality assurance, and engaging with clients to deliver effective solutions on time and within budget...
2 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing water and wastewater projects, leading design professionals, and ensuring project success through effective communication and oversight. Elevate your career in...
3 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing water and wastewater projects, overseeing design teams, and ensuring project success through effective communication and technical expertise. Collaborate with clients and s...
3 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Optimize project delivery by managing water and wastewater infrastructure initiatives, leading design teams, and ensuring client satisfaction through effective communication and oversight of project s...
3 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$108K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by managing water and wastewater projects, leading design teams, and ensuring project success through effective communication and technical expertise in engineering and construct...
3 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$108K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing water and wastewater projects, overseeing design teams, ensuring project quality, and engaging with clients to deliver effective solutions in a collaborative environment...
3 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing water and wastewater projects, overseeing design teams, ensuring project quality, and engaging with clients to deliver effective solutions on time and within budget...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing water and wastewater infrastructure projects, overseeing design teams, ensuring project quality, and engaging with clients to meet scope, schedule, and budget requirements...
1 week ago
What does a senior water/wastewater engineer do?
A senior water/wastewater engineer plans and leads engineering work for water and wastewater infrastructure. Duties may include treatment process and pipeline design, hydraulic analysis, technical reviews, permitting support, project management, and mentoring engineering teams.
What qualifications are typically required for senior water/wastewater engineer jobs?
Employers commonly require a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or a related engineering discipline and significant relevant project experience. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is frequently preferred or required, depending on the position and jurisdiction.
Where do senior water/wastewater engineers work?
They work for engineering consulting firms, water and wastewater utilities, government agencies, and infrastructure companies. Projects can involve treatment facilities, pipelines, pump stations, water reuse, stormwater, and system upgrades.
Do senior water/wastewater engineers need a PE license?
Many senior roles prefer or require a PE license, especially when the engineer is responsible for approving or sealing designs. Requirements vary by employer, project responsibilities, and state or local regulations.
What is the salary for a senior water/wastewater engineer?
Pay varies based on location, experience, licensure, employer, and project scope. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying senior water and wastewater engineering opportunities.