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.
$95K - $115K *
Manage multiple construction projects in the eastern region, ensuring quality, safety, and timely completion. Lead a team of superintendents and project managers while collaborating with stakeholders...
4 weeks ago
Renewables Civil Designer-BESS
$79K - $107K *
Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by designing innovative Battery Energy Storage Systems. Collaborate with engineers to deliver impactful civil designs that enhance land development proje...
1 week ago
Consulting Engineer, Ingestion
$150K - $180K *
Elevate your career by leading technical authority in aerospace engine ingestion, driving design excellence, mentoring future leaders, and engaging with industry experts to shape innovative solutions...
Yesterday
Senior Transmission Line Engineer 2 - Grid
$100K - $152K *
Unlock your potential by designing high-voltage transmission lines, leading project teams, and collaborating with clients. Utilize your engineering expertise to drive innovative solutions and mentor j...
1 week ago
Director of Substation Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in shaping the future of utility substation engineering by developing a high-performing team, driving business growth, and delivering integrated solutions for electric utility clients...
3 weeks ago
Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$118K - $180K *
Join a team that's modernizing nuclear power plants with cutting-edge control technologies. Lead and support diverse projects, ensuring effective execution and client satisfaction while collaborating...
3 weeks ago
Senior Pre-Sales Systems Engineer, SLED (California)
$156K - $234K *
Support innovation in data storage as a Senior Pre-Sales Systems Engineer. Collaborate with sales teams to craft technical solutions that solve customer challenges, ensuring exceptional service and dr...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$155K - $175K *
Unlock your potential by leading strategic business development initiatives, fostering client relationships, and driving growth in the architecture and engineering sectors. Collaborate with multidisci...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Transmission Line
$160K - $195K *
Lead the charge in engineering excellence by overseeing high-voltage transmission projects, ensuring safety and quality while optimizing system performance and investment through innovative solutions...
6 days ago
Sr. Process Engineer - Semi Conductor
$88K - $154K *
Advance your career by leading process engineering for semiconductor projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards while mentoring...
2 days ago
Traveling Superintendent, Government
$90K - $120K *
Join us to lead field operations on government and infrastructure projects nationwide. Oversee construction activities, manage subcontractors, ensure safety compliance, and drive quality control for s...
1 week ago
$80K - $100K *
Unlock potential by providing strategic financial leadership and analysis to business units. Collaborate with teams to enhance financial management practices, ensuring compliance and supporting organi...
3 weeks ago
Transmission Line Engineer (Mid-Level)
$105K - $145K *
Elevate your career by designing and executing overhead transmission line projects. Collaborate across disciplines, mentor junior engineers, and ensure project quality and safety while engaging with c...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Infrastructure Program Manager (Sr. TIPM)
$120K - $185K *
Lead cross-functional teams to drive infrastructure remediation programs, improving performance and reliability across AI and hyperscale data center environments. Collaborate with engineering and oper...
Reposted 1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in executing complex electrical construction projects, ensuring safety, budget adherence, and client satisfaction while managing cross-functional teams and financial performance from s...
3 weeks ago
Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Nuclear Plant Analysis
$118K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team enhancing nuclear power plants through advanced engineering. Leverage your expertise in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to drive power uprate projects, mentor junior staff, and...
1 week ago
$98K - $206K *
Drive innovation as a Senior Endpoint Engineer, collaborating with a skilled team to enhance endpoint management and automation, ensuring efficient deployments and robust security for critical systems...
2 days ago
Sr. Local Government Specialist - Southwestern U.S. (Remote, 50% Travel)
$87K - $126K *
Champion local government relations and advocacy in the Southwestern U.S. Drive community engagement, monitor policies, and collaborate with stakeholders to support business operations while managing...
3 weeks ago
Staff Product Security Engineer
$168K - $269K *
Unlock your potential as a key player in transforming product security. Collaborate with engineering teams to embed security practices, drive risk management, and enhance secure design across applicat...
2 days ago
Graduate Engineer - Electrical
$81K - $91K *
Support engineering tasks in SCADA systems, collaborating with teams to create designs, troubleshoot issues, and ensure project accuracy while enhancing quality and efficiency in a dynamic environment...
3 days ago
$70K - $117K *
Lead innovative structural engineering solutions for marine vessels, ensuring integrity and compliance with maritime standards. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational safety and performance in...
2 days ago
Project Planner - Environmental
$112K - $196K *
Lead a dynamic team in urban/environmental planning, ensuring technical excellence and regulatory compliance on large-scale projects while managing budgets and timelines effectively...
5 days ago
Senior Technical Lead / Solution Architect
$130K - $216K *
Lead the technical implementation of a large-scale platform modernization program, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and providing hands-on guidance across multiple teams and vendors for s...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $187K *
Lead the charge in strategic and operational excellence for substation engineering, overseeing project execution, team development, and client relationships to drive growth and ensure high-quality del...
2 weeks ago
Plant Process Simulation Engineer II
$115K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clean energy by developing and owning plant process simulation models. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance design, operations, and plant dynamics for in...
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.