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 Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$92K - $139K *
Elevate your career by leading environmental projects, mentoring teams, and driving innovative solutions in site assessment and remediation across diverse sectors. Collaborate with experts to ensure p...
3 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$92K - $147K *
Lead impactful environmental projects, guiding teams and managing client relationships while ensuring compliance and quality across diverse sectors. Collaborate with experts to deliver innovative solu...
3 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$92K - $147K *
Grow your career with a leading environmental team, managing complex projects and mentoring staff while ensuring compliance and quality across diverse sectors. Collaborate with clients and stakeholder...
3 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$92K - $139K *
Elevate your career by leading environmental projects, mentoring teams, and driving innovative solutions in site assessment and remediation. Collaborate across sectors to enhance client relationships...
3 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$92K - $147K *
Drive environmental projects by leading assessments and remediation efforts, managing budgets and timelines, and mentoring staff. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to deliver high-quality solu...
3 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$110K - $130K *
Drive impactful environmental projects by leading assessments and remediation efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success while mentoring junior staff and managing clie...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in environmental engineering by managing complex projects, mentoring staff, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions and drive...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative environmental solutions, managing complex projects, and mentoring teams. Collaborate across sectors to drive growth and ensure compliance with regulations whil...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$110K - $130K *
Lead environmental projects by providing technical expertise, managing budgets, and mentoring staff. Collaborate with teams across North America to drive project success and ensure compliance with reg...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$100K - $120K *
Take ownership of complex environmental projects, providing technical expertise and leadership in site assessments and remediation efforts while ensuring quality, safety, and client satisfaction acros...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative environmental solutions through project management, mentorship, and collaboration across sectors, ensuring quality and compliance while driving business growth...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$100K - $120K *
Deliver technical expertise in environmental projects, leading assessments and remediation efforts while managing budgets and schedules. Collaborate with teams across North America to drive business g...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$110K - $130K *
Empower your career by leading environmental projects, mentoring teams, and driving innovative solutions. Collaborate across sectors to enhance business growth while ensuring project quality and compl...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$100K - $120K *
Lead impactful environmental projects, guiding teams and managing deliverables while ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate across sectors to drive business growth and deliver innovative so...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Geoscientist
$92K - $139K *
Drive impactful environmental projects by leading assessments and remediation efforts. Collaborate with teams across Canada, mentor staff, and ensure project quality while managing budgets and timelin...
3 days ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer and Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Oversee water resources engineering projects, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction. Lead multidisciplinary teams in stormwater management, drainage assessments, and municipal infrastr...
3 weeks ago
Senior Hydrogeologist / Subsurface Specialist
$110K - $130K *
Empower impactful water resource projects by leveraging expertise in groundwater supply, subsurface analysis, and carbon sequestration. Join a dynamic team focused on innovative solutions for sustaina...
Reposted 1 week ago
Intermediate Process Mechanical Engineer- Water
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of water treatment by leading innovative projects in wastewater and water design. Collaborate with experts to deliver impactful solutions while mentoring a high-performance team in a...
1 week ago
Intermediate Process Mechanical Engineer- Water
$80K - $95K *
Lead innovative water and wastewater treatment projects, collaborating with experts to develop designs, ensure compliance, and mentor teams. Engage in diverse projects that enhance your skills and con...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing cutting-edge HMI application software. Collaborate with project managers and engineers to ensure successful implementation and training, while adhering to be...
Today
Intermediate Water Resources Engineer
$75K - $90K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on innovative drainage design and hydraulic modeling for infrastructure projects, ensuring effective stormwater management and compliance with mun...
3 weeks ago
Senior Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $225K *
Elevate project delivery by leading field operations, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance while fostering a high-performing team culture. Drive successful execution of water/wastewater projects t...
Today
Senior Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$100K - $120K *
Drive excellence by leading field operations for water/wastewater projects, ensuring timely delivery, safety compliance, and quality standards while fostering a collaborative team environment and mana...
Today
Senior Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $225K *
Build exceptional projects by leading field operations, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance. Drive team performance and stakeholder engagement while managing logistics and schedules to deliver on...
Today
Senior Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$100K - $120K *
Transform field operations by leading project execution, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance. Drive team performance and stakeholder engagement while managing logistics and schedules to deliver e...
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.