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.
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in strategic growth and relationship development for a portfolio of EPE clients. Drive business development, uncover opportunities, and enhance client engagement to expand EPE’s footpr...
1 month ago
Mechanical Engineering Consultant 2 (Power Uprates) - Nuclear
$145K - $222K *
Unlock your potential in a remote Mechanical Analysis role, supporting nuclear power uprates. Collaborate with clients and teams to enhance power generation, manage resources, and mentor junior engine...
Today
Senior Lead Substation Engineer - Transmission and Distribution
$120K - $145K *
Drive your career with a leading role in designing utility-scale substation projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring technical excellence and c...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in the AEC industry. As a key member of our VDC group, you'll support design-build projects through advanced BIM technologies, ensuring efficiency and collaborati...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Director, Liquid Processing & Capital Projects Engineering
$176K - $205K *
Lead the charge in executing complex capital projects and liquid processing strategies. Drive innovation and efficiency across manufacturing networks while mentoring engineering teams and ensuring pro...
1 week ago
$115K - $145K *
Elevate your career by designing and optimizing data pipelines that empower analytics and AI solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and governance while mentoring...
2 days ago
$112K - $140K *
Transform the future of software development by architecting and enhancing back-end solutions across diverse applications, mentoring engineers, and driving Agile processes to deliver high-quality soft...
Today
Forward Deployed Engineer, Internal Data Products
$95K - $115K *
Engage with construction teams to transform workflows into effective applications. Collaborate on prototypes and solutions, leveraging AI-assisted development to enhance project operations and drive m...
Today
Electrical Engineering Consultant 2 - Nuclear
$145K - $222K *
Lead and mentor a team in tackling complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction while coordinating multi-discipline efforts in the nuclear power sector...
3 weeks ago
Project Planner (Private Land Development)
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to transforming land development projects. Leverage your expertise in client relations and project management to drive successful outcomes in a dynamic environment focused...
1 week ago
$120K - $135K *
Elevate our proposal management efforts by leading strategic submissions, fostering collaboration among teams, and enhancing our pursuit capabilities to secure high-value projects that improve infrast...
Reposted 6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing multiple energy retrofit projects, ensuring timely execution and adherence to specifications. Collaborate with teams, oversee subcontractors, and implement effective soluti...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Compliance Specialist Air Quality
$87K - $99K *
Join a dynamic team to support air quality compliance and permitting efforts. Leverage your expertise in environmental science or engineering to evaluate regulations, prepare applications, and foster...
5 days ago
Assistant Commissioning Project Manager
$87K - $115K *
Transform critical facilities by providing technical leadership in commissioning projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance, manage schedules, and execute testing for complex electr...
5 days ago
Lead Engineer - Thermal-Hydraulic Methods Development
$98K - $188K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of reactor physics and technology. Contribute to computational methods development, numerical analysis, and thermal-hydraulic modeling while supporting software d...
1 week ago
Substation Engineering: Principal Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Unlock your potential as a senior technical leader in utility substation engineering, driving quality standards and innovative solutions for complex projects while mentoring a growing team and collabo...
3 weeks ago
$117K - $158K *
Unlock potential by leading complex client engagements, ensuring timely delivery, budget management, and effective resource utilization while navigating challenges in a dynamic environment. Empower te...
Reposted today
$83K - $154K *
Join our team to oversee supplier activities, ensuring compliance with nuclear quality standards through effective monitoring, inspection, and evaluation. Contribute to project success by identifying...
1 week ago
$109K - $164K *
Drive advanced digital forensics and incident response initiatives while mentoring a skilled engineering team. Leverage deep technical knowledge to enhance operational capabilities and ensure exceptio...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Business Development Leader - CRS, Hydropower & Renewables
$90K - $140K *
Unlock potential by driving strategic sales growth in Hydropower & Renewables. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop key accounts, influence project opportunities, and expand market presence in th...
2 weeks ago
Mid-level Structural Engineer - Safety
$106K - $140K *
Discover your potential as a Mid-level Structural Engineer, leading fall protection design projects. Collaborate with clients and teams to create innovative structural solutions while enhancing your t...
5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing engineering and manufacturing projects, collaborating across teams to ensure timely execution, budget adherence, and high-quality outcomes that drive business growth and in...
Today
Project Manager, Civil & Marine division - Anchorage, AK
$100K - $120K *
Explore exciting opportunities in project management for civil construction and infrastructure projects in remote Alaska. Lead teams to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency while navigating logistic...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Advance your career by leading substation projects, managing design and execution for diverse clients. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency while driving operational improv...
1 week ago
$132K - $182K *
Unlock potential by driving strategic sales growth and managing key customer relationships. Leverage your expertise in environmental solutions to expand service offerings and ensure client satisfactio...
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.