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.
Senior Lead Process Engineer - UPW/ Waste Water
$110K - $130K *
Lead a dynamic team in designing innovative process systems for high purity gases, chemicals, and biologics, ensuring quality and efficiency from concept to construction with minimal supervision...
Reposted 2 days ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading complex water/wastewater projects, managing design teams, and driving business development. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Engineer (Water Utility)
$120K - $161K *
Transform the future of our water supply! Join us to lead innovative engineering projects, ensuring the reliability and sustainability of our water systems through expert design, planning, and collabo...
4 weeks ago
Experienced Water & Wastewater Treatment Specialist
$100K - $152K *
Lead the charge in advancing water and wastewater treatment solutions for diverse clients. Utilize your expertise to design, evaluate, and implement systems while mentoring junior staff and driving pr...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock your potential as a Water Resources Engineer, leading diverse projects in surface water management. Collaborate with a skilled team, mentor junior staff, and engage with clients to deliver inno...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Oversee comprehensive water resource projects, managing teams and ensuring timely delivery. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders while mentoring junior staff and maintaining high-quality standard...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Advance your career by leading water resource projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating with diverse teams. Engage with clients and stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions in surface water man...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Drive impactful water resource projects by leading a skilled team, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring quality deliverables. Collaborate across disciplines to meet client needs while managing pro...
Reposted yesterday
$91K - $132K *
Empower your career by leading surface water projects, mentoring teams, and collaborating across disciplines. Drive innovative solutions in water resources engineering while ensuring quality and timel...
2 weeks ago
$91K - $132K *
Lead comprehensive surface water studies and designs, managing projects and mentoring junior staff while ensuring timely delivery and quality standards across diverse sectors and clients...
2 weeks ago
$91K - $132K *
Innovate in water resource management by leading diverse projects, mentoring staff, and ensuring quality deliverables. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address client needs and drive succes...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$80K - $95K *
Lead municipal water and wastewater engineering projects from planning to construction, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions and men...
1 week ago
$75K - $95K *
Innovate solutions as a Water Resources Engineer, tackling hydrologic and hydraulic challenges while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful renewable energy and infrastructure...
6 days ago
Civil Engineer - Waste Water Treatment
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in innovative civil engineering projects focused on water and wastewater treatment. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, manage, and deliver high-quality solutions while...
2 weeks ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a dynamic team as an Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer, leveraging your expertise in designing and optimizing treatment systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver inn...
6 days ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$125K - $165K *
Engineer impactful solutions by leading the design and execution of advanced urban stormwater and flood mitigation projects across Western Canada, while collaborating with diverse teams and ensuring r...
Reposted 4 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Lead the charge in optimizing industrial water and wastewater projects, applying advanced treatment technologies while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions from d...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in industrial water treatment. Leverage your expertise in wastewater processes to design and implement solutions, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate on dive...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of industrial water treatment. Leverage your expertise in wastewater processes to design innovative solutions, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate on impactf...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a team that's tackling complex industrial water and wastewater projects. Leverage your engineering expertise to design innovative treatment solutions while collaborating with multidisciplinary te...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing industrial water and wastewater processes. Leverage your engineering expertise to design innovative treatment solutions, collaborate with multidisciplinary t...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a dynamic team as a key contributor to industrial water and wastewater projects, applying innovative treatment technologies and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver effective sol...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing industrial water treatment solutions. Leverage your engineering expertise to design and implement innovative wastewater processes while collaborating with mu...
6 days ago
Staff Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$75K - $124K *
Join a team that's transforming industrial water treatment solutions. Leverage your expertise in wastewater processes to design and implement innovative treatment systems, collaborating with multidisc...
6 days ago
$161K - $196K *
Champion complex capital projects from planning to closeout, providing technical leadership and oversight. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful project delivery, manage budget...
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.