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 Industrial Hygienist - Consulting (CIH)
$100K - $150K *
Empower a safe work environment by leading industrial hygiene projects, ensuring compliance, and fostering team growth. Utilize your expertise to address health and safety issues while mentoring staff...
Yesterday
Electrical Engineer - Power Generation
$95K - $115K *
Explore a dynamic role supporting electrical engineering across renewable and thermal assets. Collaborate on system protection, safety, compliance, and operational reliability while driving innovative...
Today
Associate Director-Energy Sector
$135K - $160K *
Drive impactful consulting engagements for energy providers, leading teams to deliver strategic insights and solutions in business transformation, technology integration, and decarbonization strategie...
1 week ago
Senior Design Manager, Data Centers
$123K - $164K *
Drive end-to-end design execution for major data center projects, leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment with safety, sustainability, and commercial goals throughout the project lifecycle...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - South Carolina
$100K - $120K *
Transform your career by managing custom automation projects from design to delivery. Lead cross-functional teams, ensure customer satisfaction, and drive financial results while navigating complex pr...
1 week ago
Traveling Senior Superintendent - Mission Critical
$150K - $230K *
Lead the charge in mission-critical data center projects, overseeing field operations, ensuring safety and quality, and driving fast-track delivery across multiple regions. Collaborate with diverse te...
Today
Electrical and Controls Engineer
$120K - $170K *
Manage technical design leadership for industrial projects, coordinating PLC/DCS, HMI, and motion control systems. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality project outcomes while supporting clie...
4 weeks ago
Principal Consultant - Surface Transportation Noise
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by joining a senior role shaping transportation noise and vibration analysis. Lead project delivery, client engagement, and business development for complex transportation projects ac...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Help us drive engineering coordination across multiple capital projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with project priorities. This role requires strong organizational skills and the abilit...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineer - Thermal-Hydraulic Methods Development
$79K - $137K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of reactor physics through innovative computational methods and thermal-hydraulic modeling. Contribute to technical development, regulatory compliance, and custom...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading SCADA design and engineering for high-voltage electrical power systems. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to optimize substation projects, ensuring efficient ex...
2 days ago
Lead System Protection Engineer
$126K - $164K *
Empower your career by leading the design and implementation of protective relay systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance system protection across various energy sectors, ensuring complianc...
3 weeks ago
Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Champion innovative solutions in instrumentation and control systems for power plants. Collaborate with engineers to design, troubleshoot, and enhance digital systems, ensuring project success and cli...
3 weeks ago
Senior Transmission Line Engineer (Remote)
$141K - $184K *
Lead the design of high voltage transmission lines, utilizing advanced engineering techniques and PLS-CADD software. Collaborate with multi-discipline teams to deliver comprehensive project documentat...
3 weeks ago
Environmental Senior Account Manager - Maryland
$85K - $110K *
Own profitable growth and customer relationships in the Mid-Atlantic region. Develop new business, retain existing accounts, and connect clients with environmental analytical services to support compl...
1 week ago
Senior Mechanical Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic design team in managing mechanical systems for diverse construction projects, ensuring quality and compliance throughout the contract administration phase...
3 days ago
$94K - $151K *
Support organizational success by partnering with managers to align HR practices with business goals, providing employee relations guidance, and leveraging workforce data to enhance decision-making th...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team as a consultative HR partner, aligning people practices with business goals, providing employee relations guidance, and leveraging workforce data to enhance organizational effectiv...
6 days ago
Sr. Design-Build Project Manager
$125K - $150K *
Lead and manage design-build projects, ensuring timely completion within budget while meeting client objectives and contractual obligations. Oversee scope development, financial performance, and compl...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Mechanical Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Elevate mechanical engineering projects by managing design and execution from concept to completion. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure quality, compliance, and client satisfaction wh...
1 week ago
$125K - $170K *
Lead procurement excellence by overseeing purchasing processes, mentoring teams, and driving strategic initiatives. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance efficiency, compliance, and continuous impr...
4 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the development of a comprehensive data strategy, focusing on modern architecture and tools. Drive real-time insights and decision-making while managing a high-performing team to enhance the orga...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $155K *
Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by designing innovative fluid and power systems. As a Process Engineer, you'll drive the development and optimization of cutting-edge technologies in a f...
2 weeks ago
Utilities Vulnerability Assessment Engineer
$63K - $111K *
Empower mission success by assessing utility vulnerabilities and enhancing infrastructure resilience against diverse threats. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure operational continuity...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager (City and County)
$130K - $154K *
Lead complex projects to enhance organizational efficiency, manage timelines, and coordinate cross-functional teams. Drive strategic goals while ensuring compliance and fostering strong stakeholder re...
3 weeks 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.