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.
Deputy Design Manager I, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$95K - $115K *
Drive project success by supporting design management for data center projects. Collaborate across disciplines, manage documentation, and enhance communication to ensure timely delivery and client sat...
3 weeks ago
Deputy Design Manager I, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$95K - $115K *
Drive your career with a dynamic role supporting data center projects from planning to execution. Collaborate with global teams, enhance project coordination, and grow into a leadership position while...
3 weeks ago
Deputy Design Manager I, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$95K - $115K *
Drive the success of complex data center projects by supporting design managers in coordination, documentation, and delivery. Collaborate with global teams, enhance project management skills, and cont...
3 weeks ago
Senior Communications Specialist
$88K - $115K *
Empower strategic communications initiatives for federal clients, ensuring effective messaging and stakeholder engagement. Collaborate with teams to enhance customer experience and support organizatio...
Yesterday
$90K - $110K *
Elevate your career by owning key aspects of month-end close while optimizing AI-driven accounting operations. Collaborate with finance teams to enhance processes and support financial reporting in a...
1 week ago
$150K - $170K *
Elevate employee experiences by leading the design and implementation of integrated HR Service Delivery solutions leveraging ServiceNow and Microsoft technologies...
Reposted 4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by supporting complex customer needs through expert solution design and seamless sales transitions. Collaborate with teams to drive sales opportunities and enhance customer engag...
Yesterday
Sr. GIS Account Manager - Utilities, Telecom, Rail
$114K - $218K *
Transform customer relationships by driving innovative geospatial strategies for large infrastructure organizations. Collaborate with teams to optimize Esri technology adoption, identify growth opport...
Reposted yesterday
Contractor - Mechanical Engineer 4 (NSSS Vessels & Structures)
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's engineering advanced nuclear components to meet industry standards. You'll perform design and stress analyses, ensuring compliance with ASME codes while mentoring junior engineers a...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage in complex sales initiatives within the water industry, identifying high-value opportunities and developing strategies to enhance performance. Collaborate with teams to meet customer needs whil...
6 days ago
Manager of Product Engineering
$132K - $165K *
Drive the development and enhancement of innovative products and platforms, leading a dynamic engineering team to deliver secure, scalable solutions while fostering collaboration and technical excelle...
6 days ago
$93K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $147K *
Lead the charge in operational excellence by managing a dynamic Facility Services team, enhancing customer experience, and driving business growth through effective service delivery and continuous imp...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager, Construction
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional project management across all phases, ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence while mentoring fellow Project Managers for continu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineering Manager
$150K - $180K *
Engage in leading a diverse technical team to drive innovative engineering solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and t...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $173K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of software engineering by leading the design and implementation of innovative platforms, driving full-stack development, and mentoring teams to achieve technical...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Explore new territories and drive growth by leading business development initiatives. You'll analyze customer needs, manage sales forecasts, and implement strategies to maximize revenue while providin...
Reposted 3 days ago
$93K - $156K *
Engage in the end-to-end delivery of complex laboratory projects, ensuring high-quality execution and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders while adapting to dynamic environme...
6 days ago
Operations Manager, Commercial Nuclear Services - Remote
$113K - $188K *
Unlock potential by leading operations for nuclear projects, ensuring compliance and optimizing reliability. Drive technical solutions and oversee engineering teams while fostering collaboration acros...
3 weeks ago
Site Reliability Engineering Manager
$114K - $190K *
Build a resilient Site Reliability Engineering practice, leading a global team to enhance cloud platform reliability, scalability, and operational excellence while fostering collaboration and continuo...
2 weeks ago
Global Product Manager - Aftermarket Parts
$110K - $130K *
Drive strategic growth in the Aftermarket Parts product family, leading development, market differentiation, and sustainable strategies within the Flow Control Division while collaborating with global...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Account Executive, Aerospace & Defense | ERP, EAM, MRO
$140K - $160K *
Accelerate progress at key accounts by driving enterprise software sales in the Aerospace & Defence sector. Collaborate with global teams to enhance customer satisfaction and expand IFS's market prese...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager AFM - Tulsa, OK
$95K - $115K *
Manage project lifecycles from order to delivery, ensuring quality, budget, and customer satisfaction. Collaborate across teams to drive communication and resolve escalations while championing continu...
Reposted 1 week ago
Construction SW Cost Management Specialist
$105K - $150K *
Empower construction teams by optimizing financial workflows and technology solutions. Serve as a subject matter expert in cost management, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance project cost cont...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform the sales landscape by providing expert technical support and product demonstrations. Collaborate cross-functionally to address customer needs and enhance internal training, driving success...
3 weeks 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.