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.
Process Engineer - Industrial Water
$85K - $102K *
Lead the charge in innovative process engineering, collaborating across disciplines to enhance project execution and client relationships while ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in d...
3 days ago
Process Engineer - Industrial Water
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovation by leveraging your expertise in industrial processes to enhance project execution and client relationships. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver effective solutions in water and...
3 days ago
$102K - $125K *
Unlock potential by leading water resource projects, analyzing data, and guiding teams. Collaborate on design, planning, and quality control to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring compliance w...
3 weeks ago
$102K - $125K *
Lead impactful water resource projects by analyzing data, preparing specifications, and guiding junior staff. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring co...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
$110K - $125K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative electrical and control systems for water technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success, meeting quality, budget, and schedule...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
$110K - $125K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water technologies by leading EI&C design efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring quality and safety while m...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
$110K - $125K *
Develop innovative EI&C designs for water technologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project goals, manage risks, and ensure quality while supporting production facilities and cus...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
$110K - $125K *
Shape the future of water technologies by leading EI&C design efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring quality and safety while managing project risks...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
$110K - $125K *
Drive innovative EI&C designs for water technologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project goals, manage risks, and ensure quality and safety in electrical and instrumentation sys...
1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$130K - $160K *
Drive your career forward as a Civil Engineer Project Manager, leading Water/Wastewater projects. Collaborate with teams, manage client relationships, and mentor others while ensuring project success...
1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$130K - $160K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing complex Water/Wastewater projects. Leverage your 10+ years of experience to mentor others, develop client relationships, and drive successful project outcomes...
1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$130K - $160K *
Manage and oversee complex Water/Wastewater projects, ensuring client satisfaction and team collaboration. Leverage your expertise to drive business development and mentor junior engineers while maint...
1 week ago
Staff Mechanical Engineer - Industrial Water
$114K - $191K *
Unlock potential by leading mechanical design teams on innovative industrial water projects. Collaborate with experts globally to deliver optimal solutions for water and wastewater treatment facilitie...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Project Controls Specialist - Water
$145K - $210K *
Manage project controls processes, ensuring client satisfaction through effective scheduling, budgeting, and reporting. Collaborate with teams to analyze data and develop execution plans for multiple...
6 days ago
Senior Project Controls Specialist - Water
$145K - $210K *
Optimize project controls processes, ensuring effective scheduling, budgeting, and client satisfaction. Lead reporting, data analysis, and team training while managing relationships with clients and s...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and developing advanced electrical systems for analytical instruments, collaborating across disciplines to ensure seamless integration from concept to production while men...
3 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$88K - $105K *
Deliver impactful water/wastewater projects from conception to completion, managing client relations and ensuring project quality. Collaborate with teams to solve complex design challenges and contrib...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
$88K - $105K *
Lead impactful water and wastewater projects, managing all phases from planning to construction. Build client relationships, resolve design challenges, and contribute to business growth in a collabora...
Reposted yesterday
Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Specialist (Water / Wastewater)
$95K - $155K *
Unlock the potential of environmental compliance by leading complex permitting projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure regulatory adherence and drive project success across the DC Metro are...
6 days ago
Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Specialist (Water / Wastewater)
$95K - $155K *
Take ownership of complex environmental permitting projects, ensuring compliance with federal and local regulations. Collaborate with engineering and program teams to drive project approvals and maint...
6 days ago
Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Specialist (Water / Wastewater)
$95K - $155K *
Elevate your career by leading complex environmental permitting projects. Drive compliance, engage with agencies, and mentor junior staff while ensuring project success across the DC Metro area. Your...
6 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Wastewater Treatment Services
$142K - $249K *
Elevate your career by leading municipal water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and ensure project success from planning to execution whi...
Yesterday
Senior Project Manager - Wastewater Treatment Services
$142K - $249K *
Transform your career by leading municipal water and wastewater projects. Drive project success through effective client communication, technical expertise, and team leadership while ensuring quality...
Yesterday
$85K - $102K *
Elevate project outcomes by coordinating with clients and teams, performing engineering calculations, and transforming designs into technical specifications for diverse public and private projects...
Reposted yesterday
Infrastructure Senior Civil Engineer - Municipal Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Empower communities by leading municipal water and wastewater projects from planning to construction. Build lasting relationships while guiding clients through funding, design, and implementation, ens...
6 days 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.