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.
$110K - $144K *
Drive success by leading commissioning projects for critical facilities. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance, manage schedules, and execute testing of complex systems, all while mainta...
1 week ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive innovation by leading backend development for high-traffic APIs and microservices. Collaborate across teams to enhance system reliability, scalability, and performance while optimizing cloud cos...
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$175K - $185K *
Unlock potential by leading global product strategies that drive growth and innovation. Collaborate cross-functionally to prioritize customer needs, enhance product performance, and support internatio...
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER 2
$85K - $90K *
Lead the charge in managing a high-performing team to enhance surface water quality standards and ensure compliance with environmental regulations, driving impactful outcomes for public health and the...
3 weeks ago
Design Manager, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$120K - $145K *
Drive innovative design solutions for colocation and hyper-scale data centers, overseeing projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with global teams to ensure quality and timely delivery while...
1 week ago
Design Manager, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of data center design by leading diverse teams on high-profile projects. Oversee all phases from planning to execution, ensuring quality and client satisfaction while collaborating gl...
1 week ago
Design Manager, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in managing innovative data center projects, overseeing design teams from concept to construction. Collaborate globally, ensuring high-quality delivery while fostering client relations...
1 week ago
$100K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Financial Analyst, driving financial insights and models to support growth. Collaborate across teams to enhance forecasting accuracy and optimize performance, playing...
1 month ago
ERTS Regional Compliance Program Manager- Southern-Central Region
$100K - $120K *
Empower the delivery of compliance programs across a multi-state region. Manage client relationships, conduct audits, training, and inspections while leading operational excellence and driving regulat...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Design Manager, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative data center design projects, ensuring quality and timely delivery. Collaborate with global teams and clients, managing multi-disciplinary teams while fostering s...
1 week ago
Senior Networking Engineering Technical Advisor
$165K - $175K *
Join a dynamic engineering team as a Senior Technical Advisor, providing strategic guidance on emerging technologies and systems integration while supporting Agile program execution and modernization...
3 weeks ago
Senior Process Improvement Engineer
$105K - $167K *
Elevate operational excellence by leading process improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze workflows, enhance efficiency, and...
2 days ago
$96K - $115K *
Lead the charge in designing and developing aerospace wire harnesses, ensuring compliance with industry standards while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Engineering Manager - Client Group
$230K - $250K *
Innovate with us to lead a talented engineering team, driving technical strategy and cross-functional collaboration. Shape impactful systems in billing and enrollment while fostering a culture of owne...
1 week ago
$140K - $185K *
Transform project delivery by managing IT initiatives for California agencies. Collaborate with state staff to ensure timely, budget-compliant outcomes while leveraging Agile methodologies and large s...
2 weeks ago
Chemical Warfare Material Program Manager
$108K - $130K *
Shape the future of remediation services by leading CWM projects for federal clients. Collaborate with experts to develop strategies, manage budgets, and ensure quality in field operations while drivi...
1 week ago
Power Systems Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Innovate the future of power systems by designing automated tools for transmission planning. Collaborate with engineers to enhance workflows, ensuring reliable results that utilities and developers tr...
2 weeks ago
Sales Manager Specialty Fluids
$100K - $120K *
Empower your career as a Sales Manager in the Specialty Fluids sector, driving growth through strategic account management and lead generation while collaborating with diverse teams across North Ameri...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Data Center Project Manager
$100K - $160K *
Elevate your career by leading the start-up and commissioning of critical power systems for large-scale data centers. Drive project success through effective planning, execution, and stakeholder manag...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs
$170K - $195K *
Lead the charge in global regulatory submissions, managing U.S. INDs and ex-U.S. CTAs. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop strategies, ensure compliance, and drive timely approvals in a fast-pac...
4 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring supplier compliance and quality in the nuclear industry. Leverage your expertise in quality assurance to evaluate supplier programs, conduct audits, and mainta...
1 week ago
Experienced Steam Turbine TFA (Nuclear)
$72K - $108K *
Partner with us to manage site activities, ensuring effective planning, resource integration, and compliance with contractual requirements in power generation facilities. Drive customer satisfaction a...
3 weeks ago
Regulatory Compliance Engineer II
$85K - $125K *
Shape compliance strategies across hardware and biotech sectors, ensuring products meet global regulatory standards and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovative solutions and main...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower enterprise initiatives by leading complex projects that drive strategic outcomes, enhance governance, and align cross-functional teams. Utilize your expertise to manage risks, ensure accountab...
2 weeks ago
Protection & Controls Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead Protection & Controls projects from kickoff to closeout, ensuring high-quality engineering deliverables and effective customer coordination. Collaborate with teams to manage project risks and del...
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.