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.
Experienced Civil / Water Resources Engineer
$117K - $152K *
Drive innovative solutions in civil and water resources engineering, focusing on green stormwater infrastructure and urban drainage projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-q...
1 week ago
Experienced Civil / Water Resources Engineer
$117K - $152K *
Drive innovative water resource solutions by designing and managing complex municipal projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance urban stormwater infrastructure and ensure regulator...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Lead the charge in hydrogeologic investigations, guiding teams to deliver innovative solutions for diverse environmental projects, particularly in mining. Collaborate with clients and internal teams t...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Shape the future of environmental projects by leading hydrogeologic investigations, analyzing data, and mentoring teams to exceed client expectations in diverse market sectors. Collaborate across disc...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Transform environmental projects by leveraging your hydrogeologic expertise. Lead site characterization efforts, analyze data, and develop models to ensure successful project delivery while mentoring...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Lead the charge in advancing hydrogeologic investigations for diverse environmental projects. Collaborate with teams to analyze data, develop models, and exceed client expectations while mentoring sta...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Lead the charge in hydrogeologic investigations, guiding teams to analyze data, develop models, and deliver exceptional project outcomes for diverse environmental projects, particularly in mining. Col...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team as you lead hydrogeologic investigations, analyze data, and develop models for diverse environmental projects, particularly in mining. Collaborate with clients and...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Lead the charge in hydrogeologic investigations, guiding teams to analyze data and develop models for diverse environmental projects, particularly in mining. Collaborate with clients to exceed expecta...
1 week ago
$101K - $194K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead hydrogeologic investigations, analyze data, and develop models for diverse environmental projects. Collaborate with clients and mentor staff while driving project succe...
1 week ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$90K - $135K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative municipal water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop engineering solutions, coordinate activities, and ensure quality e...
2 days ago
Project Manager Engineering (Water/Wastewater)
$88K - $142K *
Join a dynamic team to manage Water/Wastewater projects, overseeing planning, budgeting, and client relations while mentoring emerging engineers and ensuring quality outcomes in a collaborative enviro...
2 weeks ago
Water Resources Engineer/Planner
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's tackling complex water resources challenges across Texas. Engage in innovative planning and engineering projects, collaborating with diverse professionals to deliver strategic solut...
1 week ago
Water Resources Engineer/Planner
$80K - $95K *
Innovate solutions in water resources management by leading multi-disciplinary teams on diverse projects. Engage in technical evaluations, feasibility studies, and strategic planning to enhance water...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager (Water / Wastewater Engineering)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize project delivery by leading multidisciplinary teams through all phases, ensuring client satisfaction and adherence to budget and schedule while mentoring junior staff and implementing quality...
2 days ago
Water / Wastewater Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Explore your potential as a Project Manager, leading innovative water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, and cultivate client relationships to advance w...
Reposted yesterday
Wastewater Engineer / Operations Liaison
$125K - $175K *
Unlock potential by serving as a vital liaison in wastewater operations, ensuring effective communication and coordination among stakeholders to support a key treatment program and enhance infrastruct...
2 weeks ago
Water & Wastewater Treatment Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead the planning and design of water/wastewater treatment facilities. Drive innovative engineering solutions, mentor junior engineers, and engage with clients to enhance cr...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $155K *
Transform water infrastructure projects by leading civil design efforts, managing teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to deliver innovative solution...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $155K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative civil engineering designs for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, ensuring project quality and timelines while mentoring...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $155K *
Unlock potential by leading civil engineering design efforts for diverse water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance, quality, and effective project deliver...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Water Resources Project Manager
$155K - $195K *
Empower projects by managing design and construction services, mentoring staff, and ensuring quality delivery. Leverage your extensive experience in water resources to drive successful outcomes across...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Project Manager
$155K - $195K *
Engineer innovative civil solutions, managing projects from design to delivery. Lead a team in stormwater infrastructure and drainage planning while ensuring quality and client satisfaction across mul...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Project Manager
$155K - $195K *
Elevate your career by managing diverse civil engineering projects, ensuring quality and efficiency while mentoring junior staff and maintaining client relationships across the Midwest region...
1 week ago
Lead Process Engineer - Water & Wastewater
$115K - $125K *
Engage in technical leadership and project management in water/wastewater design, collaborating with teams to deliver cutting-edge infrastructure solutions while mentoring talent and driving client pa...
Reposted 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.