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 Principal Development Engineer - Sustainable Infrastructure (Remote)
$125K - $188K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative facility management solutions for P3 projects, ensuring optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness while managing complex project lifecycles from inception to f...
2 days ago
$105K *
Lead complex engineering design for cathodic protection projects, ensuring effective resource utilization and technical supervision. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions and enhance...
Today
Sr Account Manager, Industrial Water, NA
$120K - $140K *
Partner with us to drive growth in industrial accounts, leveraging your sales expertise to expand relationships and deliver innovative water treatment solutions that meet the needs of our customers an...
Reposted 1 week ago
Environmental Consulting Project Director
$202K - $289K *
Champion growth in environmental services by leading business development, managing complex projects, and fostering client relationships in the power industry. Leverage your expertise to navigate regu...
1 week ago
Sr. Account Manager, Industrial Water, NA
$120K - $140K *
Shape the future of industrial water solutions by driving sales growth, managing key accounts, and fostering enduring partnerships with customers and teams to enhance sustainable business outcomes and...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Engineer innovative civil designs for utility-scale solar and battery projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create site layouts, grading, and drainage plans, ensuring compliance and ef...
1 week ago
Senior Business Development Manager
$145K - $165K *
Advance your career by driving commercial growth in the Chemical Process Industry. Lead sales and account management, build client relationships, and influence strategic business goals while working r...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading electrical design projects from concept to completion, ensuring compliance with standards and codes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, constr...
3 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Transform electrical engineering projects by leading design and analysis from inception to completion. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring compliance with standards a...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining electrical design for power systems. You'll manage projects from scoping to construction, ensuring compliance with standards while delivering high-quality designs and sup...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive the future of electrical design by leading medium- and low-voltage projects, ensuring compliance with standards and codes while delivering high-quality, constructible packages. Collaborate acros...
3 days ago
Senior Process Engineer - Minerals Processing Operation
$100K - $120K *
Deliver innovative mineral processing solutions to enhance plant operations, optimize costs, and improve product quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success and ensure co...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - MicroElectronics
$100K - $130K *
Transform your career by leading complex water treatment projects. As a Project Manager, you'll guide a skilled team, ensuring project success from initiation to completion while maintaining quality...
1 week ago
Senior Structural Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic team in structural engineering, tackling innovative projects in nuclear facilities. Collaborate, guide, and utilize advanced tools to design and analyze struct...
2 weeks ago
Environmental Permitting Specialist/Natural Resource Scientist
$80K - $95K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic team focused on environmental permitting and natural resource management. Collaborate on energy projects and infrastructure improvements while leveraging your...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock financial insights and enhance project performance by providing senior-level analysis and operational support in a dynamic engineering consulting environment, collaborating with cross-functiona...
1 week ago
$280K - $330K *
Empower a dynamic engineering team by leading technical architecture, enhancing system reliability, and driving scalable solutions that support rapid growth in a fast-paced fintech environment. Foster...
Reposted today
Senior Financial Analyst, FP&A (R&D)
$111K - $167K *
Transform financial operations by driving monthly close processes, managing forecasts, and leveraging AI for process improvements while serving as a key business partner to leadership to enhance strat...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Engineering Consultant - Equity Due Diligence
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading complex commercial real estate due diligence projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide technical guidance and client leadership, ensuring high-quality d...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer - Distribution
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation by providing technical leadership on electrical distribution projects. You will oversee design packages, mentor junior engineers, ensure compliance with standards, and deliver reliabl...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Manager, Water Infrastructure
$180K - $200K *
Lead water infrastructure strategies, ensuring efficient design and compliance across data center projects. Collaborate with teams to secure agreements and manage risks, enhancing sustainability and c...
1 week ago
Technical Sales Representative - ES Water Services
$104K - $125K *
Join a team that's driving growth in water treatment solutions by developing and managing strategic customer relationships across various industries. Leverage your technical sales expertise to enhance...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative remedial systems design solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, providing technical leadership and strategic direction for diverse environmental p...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize project financial performance by managing accounting processes, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with project teams to enhance profitability and cash flow. Drive timely reporting and su...
4 weeks ago
Senior Air Permitting Specialist
$100K - $152K *
Empower progress in environmental compliance by developing air permitting strategies for complex industrial projects. Collaborate with multi-disciplined teams to ensure adherence to air quality regula...
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.