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.
$130K - $140K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of project analytics. Utilize your expertise in budgeting, cost forecasting, and collaboration to ensure project financial integrity and support Project Managers i...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Elevate your career by leading civil site projects in the energy sector. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, coordinate, and manage impactful utility projects while ensuring compliance with loc...
1 week ago
Senior Structural Engineer-Bridge
$88K - $154K *
Join a team that's redefining bridge engineering by delivering innovative designs and solutions. Collaborate on diverse projects, ensuring structural reliability and efficiency while enhancing your ex...
1 week ago
Senior Financial Analyst - Strategic Finance
$109K - $173K *
Elevate your career by partnering with us to enhance financial forecasting and reporting processes. Leverage your analytical skills to improve business intelligence systems and drive key performance i...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Electrical Engineer (Renewable Energy) - REMOTE
$140K - $200K *
Optimize project outcomes by leading comprehensive electrical design reviews in renewable energy sectors. Ensure compliance with industry standards while effectively managing timelines and costs for d...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Project Engineer - ADMS
$120K - $150K *
Shape large-scale system integration projects by managing technical aspects, leading workshops, and ensuring successful implementation of ADMS/OMS systems while collaborating with clients and project...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Geomechanics Engineer (CAN)
$130K - $180K *
Optimize geomechanical solutions for mining projects by integrating data, developing models, and providing technical recommendations. Collaborate with a diverse team to enhance project outcomes and me...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Advance archaeological services by leading complex projects, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with regulations. Provide expert guidance, manage client relationships, and drive innovative solut...
Today
$85K - $120K *
Elevate your career by developing innovative water treatment solutions. Collaborate with teams to create technical proposals, manage projects, and ensure customer satisfaction while adhering to safety...
Yesterday
Senior Mechanical Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$100K - $152K *
Join us to design and evaluate nuclear power plant systems, preparing modification packages and engineering analyses while leading project teams and interfacing with clients to enhance operational eff...
Today
Senior Environmental Project Manager
$75K - $130K *
Lead and manage environmental projects from planning to completion, ensuring compliance with regulations and client expectations. Coordinate teams and resources to deliver quality results on time and...
6 days ago
Senior Environmental Project Manager
$75K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing environmental projects from planning to completion, ensuring compliance with regulations and client satisfaction while coordinating with specialists and agenci...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Transportation Design
$134K - $241K *
Deliver transformative transportation solutions by leading project teams, enhancing community infrastructure, and ensuring excellence in project execution through strategic planning and collaboration...
Reposted yesterday
$74K - $125K *
Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring NEPA compliance through expert review and management of environmental assessments and impact statements for diverse projects across the nation, enhancing susta...
3 weeks ago
$74K - $115K *
Transform urban infrastructure by managing street and sidewalk maintenance projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance, oversee contracts, and deliver timely results that enhance com...
Today
Intermediate Hydrotechnical Engineer - Water Dams
$100K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as an Intermediate Hydrotechnical Engineer, engaging in diverse projects from design to construction. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage project quality, and contribu...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Engineer innovative power system solutions by conducting EMT studies and developing models. Collaborate with leadership to enhance team expertise and deliver quality advisory support to clients in the...
3 weeks ago
Civil Engineer - Mission Critical (REMOTE)
$90K - $145K *
Collaborate within a dedicated team to design and execute innovative civil engineering solutions for Mission Critical Data Center projects in a dynamic environment, engaging with diverse clients and d...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Lead the design and analysis of electrical systems for nuclear power plants. Collaborate with engineers and vendors to ensure project success, focusing on reliability and compliance. Engage in trouble...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Mission Critical and Data Center
$139K - $174K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of mission-critical projects. Lead cross-functional teams, oversee deliverables, and enhance client relationships while managing complex, large-scale projects in...
2 days ago
$74K - $96K *
Transform cultural resource management by leading diverse projects, ensuring compliance and quality while fostering collaboration. Engage with clients and stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes i...
Yesterday
Traveling Construction Project Engineer
$76K - $142K *
Manage construction projects across varying locations, ensuring adherence to deadlines, budgets, and technical requirements. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals while nav...
Reposted 2 days ago
Electrical/Solar Engineer- June 2027
$77K - $93K *
Join us to design and generate construction documents for commercial and industrial solar PV systems, ensuring technical accuracy and detailed specifications while collaborating with clients and stake...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy through innovative electrical design for utility-scale projects. Collaborate with engineers on solar, wind, and battery systems, ensuring quality and ef...
1 week ago
Project Manager - Gas Utilities
$114K - $150K *
Empower your career by leading impactful projects in gas and electrical systems. Utilize your engineering expertise and project management skills to ensure timely, budget-friendly, and high-quality ou...
Today
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.