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.
Water / Wastewater Conveyance Engineer
$90K - $150K *
Lead the charge in enhancing water/wastewater systems through technical expertise, project management, and client engagement, while overseeing design and construction processes for diverse projects in...
Yesterday
Water & Wastewater Process Design Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead innovative water/wastewater process design projects. Utilize your engineering expertise to develop sustainable solutions, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and...
1 week ago
Water & Wastewater Process Design Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by applying advanced engineering principles to design innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable, complian...
1 week ago
Water & Wastewater Process Design Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative solutions in water/wastewater engineering, leading design and analysis for treatment facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and enhance system pe...
1 week ago
Water & Wastewater Process Design Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Grow your career by leading innovative water/wastewater design projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop sustainable solutions, ensuring compliance and quality in municipal and ind...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Join a dynamic team to lead environmental assessments for critical water infrastructure projects, guiding clients through complex approvals while mentoring talent and enhancing community engagement ac...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Shape the future of environmental infrastructure by leading assessments and approvals for water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, mentor talent, and drive sustainab...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Shape the future of environmental infrastructure by leading complex assessments and approvals for water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, mentor talent, and drive s...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Lead transformative environmental planning initiatives, guiding complex water and infrastructure projects from assessment to approval while fostering community engagement and mentoring talent across O...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Lead impactful environmental assessments for water infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor talent, and guide clients through complex planning and permitting processes...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Empower communities by leading environmental assessments for vital water infrastructure projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, mentor talent, and drive sustainable growth while navigating complex r...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Join a team that's shaping critical water infrastructure projects, leading environmental assessments, and mentoring talent. Collaborate with diverse professionals to deliver impactful solutions for co...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Lead the charge in shaping critical water infrastructure projects, guiding environmental assessments and approvals while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver impactful solutions for communities...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Join us to lead environmental assessments for vital water infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor talent, and drive strategic planning initiatives that enhance commun...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Pioneer impactful environmental planning initiatives for water infrastructure projects. Lead assessments, engage stakeholders, and mentor teams to enhance community resilience and sustainability acros...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Elevate community resilience by leading environmental assessments for vital water infrastructure projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, mentor talent, and drive strategic planning initiatives that...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Drive impactful environmental planning initiatives for water infrastructure projects. Lead assessments, mentor talent, and engage communities to ensure sustainable growth and compliance with regulatio...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Planner -Water infrastructure
$93K - $128K *
Lead environmental assessments and approvals for critical water infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor talent, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance community g...
3 weeks ago
Civil Water/Wastewater Engineer - Project Manager
$145K *
Bring your expertise to lead and expand a water/wastewater engineering group, managing projects from planning to construction. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure compliance and delive...
4 weeks ago
Project Engineer (Water & Wastewater)
$95K - $117K *
Engineer innovative water treatment solutions by leading project designs, ensuring quality and budget adherence, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet customer expectations and mitig...
2 weeks ago
Professional Water/Wastewater Engineer or Engineer-in-Training
$72K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team as a Water/Wastewater Engineer, leveraging your expertise in design and project management to enhance municipal infrastructure. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on impactfu...
Reposted 4 days ago
Professional Engineer- Water / Wastewater Treatment Focus
$100K - $150K *
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to design and manage impactful water and wastewater treatment projects, ensuring high-quality delivery and strong client relationships across various offices...
Reposted 5 days ago
Professional Engineer- Water / Wastewater Treatment Focus
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in innovative water/wastewater treatment projects, collaborating across teams to ensure design excellence and effective project delivery while mentoring junior staff and fostering clie...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Industrial Water I&C Engineer
$156K - $261K *
Lead the charge in delivering advanced engineering solutions across multiple Industrial Water projects. Oversee I&C design execution, manage multi-discipline teams, and cultivate client relationships...
Reposted 1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Shape sustainable infrastructure and lead transformative water projects, mentoring teams and clients while managing financial performance and project delivery across diverse stakeholder perspectives...
Reposted 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.