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.
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Transform the Southwest's waste management landscape by leading design and project management for Transfer Stations and MRFs. Drive business development and foster team growth while ensuring technical...
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Transform the future of trenchless rehabilitation by leading innovative projects, managing teams, and driving business development. Leverage your extensive experience to deliver high-quality engineeri...
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Champion transportation optimization by leading strategic initiatives that enhance service, cost efficiency, and network performance across global operations. Drive innovation in operating models and...
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Senior Project Manager - Industrial Hygiene
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Drive growth and profitability in Industrial Hygiene by leading client development, overseeing technical projects, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with executives to shape strategies and deliver high...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Industrial Hygiene
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Unlock potential by leading strategic growth in Industrial Hygiene, driving client development, and delivering high-quality technical solutions. Collaborate with teams to ensure regulatory compliance...
3 weeks ago
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Lead the successful delivery of large, complex nuclear projects, ensuring safety, quality, and budget adherence while fostering customer relationships and mentoring project teams for optimal execution...
5 days ago
Business Development - Texas Water
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in establishing Forgen's water sector presence across Texas, driving business development and client relationships in flood control and water infrastructure projects while managing a r...
Reposted yesterday
$145K - $222K *
Deliver impactful leadership by managing multi-discipline nuclear projects, ensuring alignment across teams, and guiding successful execution from design to closeout while maintaining client relations...
6 days ago
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Accelerate growth by leveraging your sales expertise to drive revenue through innovative data center liquid cooling solutions. Engage with clients, present technical solutions, and collaborate across...
2 days ago
Control Systems Integrator III - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Unlock your potential by developing innovative control systems for leading manufacturers. Collaborate with clients to solve complex automation challenges while programming and troubleshooting PLC, HMI...
2 weeks ago
Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction
$140K - $160K *
Lead the charge in cost management for a large-scale data center program, ensuring timely project delivery and budget adherence while engaging stakeholders and maintaining commercial controls in a dyn...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in optimizing high-performance storage systems for GPU clusters. You'll design, deploy, and maintain robust storage infrastructure to ensure seamless AI workloads, while swiftly troubl...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Remote Sensing Technician
$80K - $95K *
Empower accuracy in aerial data processing as you ensure reliable deliverables from LiDAR and imagery. Collaborate with stakeholders and lead quality control efforts to support project success and dri...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Remote Sensing Technician
$80K - $95K *
Analyze aerial data processing to create precise deliverables while collaborating with project leads. Ensure accuracy, troubleshoot issues, and maintain quality in various markets, driving successful...
Reposted 3 days ago
$163K - $217K *
Lead the charge in establishing global technical standards for utility and power systems. As a strategic authority, you'll guide complex engineering decisions and mentor teams across diverse projects...
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Join a team that's driving innovation in power transmission and distribution. Oversee project scopes, schedules, and budgets while leading design efforts and ensuring quality deliverables. Engage with...
Today
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Lead and innovate IT Controls and AI Resiliency projects, ensuring effective management and delivery within scope, budget, and schedule while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet business...
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Senior Staff Accountant, Structured Finance
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Shape the future of financial reporting by managing complex accounting activities, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and internal con...
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Lead transformative highway projects that enhance transportation networks and community connectivity. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success from planning through delivery...
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Power Plant Operations Support Manager
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Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing global power generation operations. You'll support fleet management, enhance O&M standards, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across a diverse por...
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Elevate your career by supporting diverse system studies in renewable energy projects. Collaborate in a dynamic environment, delivering technical expertise and leveraging advanced tools to ensure safe...
6 days ago
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Lead impactful epidemiology analyses to evaluate human health risks across diverse projects, working independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced environment. Fully...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Finance Analyst
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by managing financial performance for diverse projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive insights, optimize cash flow, and enhance decision-making in a dynamic, pro...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Data Centers Development
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Empower data center development by leading complex projects from site acquisition to construction. Drive client relationships, manage multidisciplinary teams, and ensure successful project delivery wh...
Yesterday
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.