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 Project Hydrogeologist (USA)
$85K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Project Hydrogeologist, managing diverse hydrogeology and environmental projects. Leverage your expertise in groundwater modeling and field investigations to drive impa...
4 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$135K - $190K *
Lead the design and assessment of hydromechanical systems for hydropower projects. Provide technical expertise, manage multidisciplinary teams, and ensure engineering excellence while mentoring junior...
Today
Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Hydropower
$130K - $180K *
Lead innovative geotechnical engineering projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver solutions for transportation, hydroelectric, and civil infrastructure. Drive design, analysis...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager- Municipal Infrastructure
$125K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading complex multi-disciplinary projects to achieve client goals, overseeing contracting, risk management, and deliverable production, while supporting program growth and commun...
Reposted yesterday
$200K *
Unlock potential by leading complex tunnel and trenchless projects. Leverage your 15+ years of expertise in design and construction management to drive successful outcomes and enhance client relations...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Drive the future of structural engineering by leading complex capital projects, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring technical excellence across diverse markets, particularly in healthcare. Collaborat...
2 weeks ago
Senior Structural Engineer - Marine & Waterfront
$107K - $202K *
Unlock your potential by leading complex marine and waterfront engineering projects, guiding teams through design phases, and ensuring technical excellence for public and private sector clients across...
Reposted yesterday
Commercial Water Quality Systems Engineer
$86K - $96K *
Join a dynamic team to provide technical guidance and support in commercial water quality solutions. Engage with clients and industry groups, driving sales and customer satisfaction while influencing...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$131K - $205K *
Engage in the design and evaluation of electric power generation projects. Provide technical support and owner’s engineering services, focusing on thermal power systems. Collaborate on project develop...
4 weeks ago
$139K - $174K *
Lead structural design for complex projects, focusing on data centers and industrial facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior engine...
2 weeks ago
$139K - $174K *
Engineer impactful electrical systems by leading projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate to foster innovation and quality in complex building designs, d...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Civil Engineer - Municipal Projects
$100K - $120K *
Drive innovative civil engineering solutions as a senior leader, overseeing complex projects and mentoring teams. Ensure quality standards and contribute to sustainable development while positively im...
4 weeks ago
$120K - $165K *
Unlock potential by leading hydro turbine design and engineering projects, optimizing asset performance, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enh...
4 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Consultant - Civil/Construction
$110K - $130K *
Champion client success by leading complex commercial real estate projects, managing multi-site portfolios, and providing senior technical expertise to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective deli...
Reposted 1 week ago
$131K - $205K *
Shape the future of electric power projects by providing expert development support, technical evaluations, and engineering design reviews. Collaborate with clients to optimize project outcomes while...
2 weeks ago
Lead Engineer - Customer Application Engineering
$100K - $120K *
Support commercial engineering efforts by generating proposals, process designs, and managing project tasks. Collaborate with sales teams and vendors to enhance project success across various water tr...
1 week ago
Water Projects - Project Manager
$95K - $140K *
Manage and oversee large-scale water filtration and treatment projects, ensuring compliance with safety standards while developing client relationships and providing technical support throughout proje...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic team to lead complex civil engineering projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts to design and implement innovative transportation solutions that en...
4 weeks ago
Mechanical and Design Engineer
$93K - $137K *
Innovate across capital projects and chemical operations, delivering practical mechanical engineering solutions while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective project execution a...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Electrical Engineer (USA)
$120K - $145K *
Empower your career as a Senior Electrical Engineer, leading cutting-edge designs for high-capacity data centers, while collaborating with top industry professionals on impactful, mission-critical pro...
Reposted 4 days ago
Water and Wastewater Consultant for Pumps, Valves, Aeration (USABlueBook)
$84K - $126K *
Reimagine customer solutions by developing tailored products and services. Drive sales growth and retention through technical expertise, training, and collaboration with internal teams to meet evolvin...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $166K *
Take ownership of air quality projects, leading permitting and compliance efforts for diverse industries. Utilize your expertise in regulatory strategy and modeling to enhance client relationships and...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager, Electrical Commissioning
$110K - $130K *
Join us to lead multimillion-dollar projects in the Mission Critical sector, managing teams and subcontractors to deliver critical systems for Data Centers and Power Plants across North America. Drive...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by providing civil engineering design and support for utility substations. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure quality control while managing project scope...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Central Utilities and District Energy
$120K - $155K *
Join a team that's leading the design and implementation of central utility systems. You'll manage complex projects, mentor engineers, and drive innovation in energy solutions for diverse facilities...
1 month 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.