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 Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing water and wastewater projects, overseeing design teams, ensuring project quality, and engaging with clients. Drive successful project execution while mentoring staff and pr...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Drive impactful water and wastewater projects by managing design teams, ensuring quality assurance, and collaborating with clients to meet project goals efficiently and effectively...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as a Project Manager overseeing water and wastewater projects. Lead design professionals, manage project scope, schedule, and budget, and ensure quality assurance while mentoring s...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to manage water and wastewater projects, overseeing design and construction quality assurance while ensuring timely project delivery and client satisfaction. Lead professionals and...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Manage and oversee water and wastewater infrastructure projects, leading a team of design professionals. Engage with clients and ensure project requirements are met efficiently while providing constru...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$125K - $145K *
Drive impactful water/wastewater projects by leveraging your expertise in planning, design, and technical analysis. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions within budget and ti...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water Engineer/Project Manager
$94K - $161K *
Manage and lead municipal drinking water projects, focusing on lead service line replacements and infrastructure improvements. Utilize technical expertise and project management skills to deliver high...
Yesterday
Senior Water Engineer/Project Manager
$94K - $161K *
Lead municipal drinking water projects, focusing on service line replacements and infrastructure improvements. Oversee project delivery, mentor teams, and strengthen client relationships while ensurin...
Yesterday
Senior Water & Wastewater Treatment Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in water/wastewater treatment projects, managing multidisciplinary teams and client relationships while mentoring engineers. Drive technical excellence and project success from plannin...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer (Engineer IV)
$88K - $105K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with clients to design and optimize systems, ensuring efficient infrastructure solutions that enhance community resour...
Today
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$160K - $240K *
Lead the design and management of water/wastewater projects, ensuring quality and timely delivery. Oversee project budgets, mentor junior staff, and drive technical proposals to secure new opportuniti...
1 week ago
Senior Water & Wastewater Project Engineer
$155K - $187K *
Take ownership of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, applying your engineering expertise to ensure compliance and quality. Collaborate with teams, manage project components, and engage clie...
5 days ago
Senior Water & Wastewater Project Engineer
$160K - $195K *
Unlock your potential as you lead the planning and delivery of water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, ensure compliance, and drive business development while managing significa...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative wastewater engineering projects. Collaborate with multi-discipline teams to design and implement high-quality infrastructure solutions while ensuring exceptio...
1 week ago
Senior Water Wastewater Project Manager
$140K - $200K *
Shape the future of water management by leading the design and optimization of treatment systems, ensuring compliance and safety while managing projects from conception to completion...
Yesterday
Senior Water Wastewater Project Manager
$140K - $200K *
Drive the design and management of water treatment systems, ensuring safety and compliance while optimizing efficiency and environmental standards through innovative engineering solutions...
Yesterday
Senior Water Wastewater Project Manager
$140K - $200K *
Deliver innovative solutions in water treatment systems, ensuring safety and compliance. Lead design, optimize processes, and manage projects from conception to completion, enhancing public health and...
Yesterday
Senior Water Wastewater Project Manager
$140K - $200K *
Join a team that's dedicated to designing and optimizing water treatment systems, ensuring safety and compliance while managing projects from conception to completion in a dynamic environment...
Yesterday
Senior Water Wastewater Project Manager
$140K - $200K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing water treatment systems, ensuring safety and compliance while managing projects from conception to completion. Collaborate with teams to enhance infrastruct...
Yesterday
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Transform water resource projects by leading design, analysis, and documentation efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and quality while mentoring junior staff and man...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Contribute to innovative water solutions by leading design and engineering projects that enhance community water management, ensuring public health and environmental sustainability through technical e...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of municipal water and wastewater projects by leading technical delivery, expanding client relationships, and driving strategic growth initiatives across the Midwest region while...
1 week ago
$129K - $194K *
Lead the charge in advancing wastewater solutions by collaborating with municipal clients to develop sustainable infrastructure and innovative nutrient management strategies, ensuring compliance and r...
1 week ago
Senior Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$121K - $182K *
Elevate your career by leading industrial water/wastewater projects, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, and driving business growth through innovative design solutions and client engagement...
2 weeks ago
Senior Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$121K - $182K *
Contribute to innovative industrial water and wastewater projects, leveraging your expertise to lead design management, mentor teams, and drive business growth while collaborating with multidisciplina...
2 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.