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 Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Modeler
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in innovative groundwater modeling and site assessments. Collaborate on complex projects involving remediation, water supply, and litigation support while managing client relationships...
2 days ago
Senior Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Modeler
$95K - $115K *
Join us in shaping the future of groundwater management and remediation. As a Senior Hydrogeologist, you'll lead innovative projects, provide expert analysis, and drive client success while managing c...
2 days ago
$100K - $147K *
Innovate plumbing system designs for diverse building projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance technical expertise and project management skills while ensuring compliance with i...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing high-profile water infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless execution of EPC services, fostering team collaboration, and enhancing client satisfaction through strategic o...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$126K - $221K *
Lead and manage multi-million dollar water infrastructure projects, driving business development, client relationships, and project execution. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance operational eff...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing small EPC projects, ensuring successful execution of engineering, procurement, and construction scopes while coordinating teams and delivering on performance, quality, and...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Drive successful delivery of multi-million dollar water infrastructure projects. Partner with multidisciplinary teams to manage risks, costs, and client satisfaction while ensuring compliance with eng...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Lead impactful water and wastewater projects by managing small teams and ensuring successful execution of engineering, procurement, and construction efforts while focusing on client satisfaction and p...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer - Water Practice
$116K - $133K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement advanced control systems for water and wastewater treatment facilities. Leverage your expertise in engineering to mentor others and drive innovative solutio...
1 week ago
Senior Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer - Water Practice
$116K - $133K *
Take ownership of innovative control systems design for water treatment projects. Collaborate with teams to produce detailed plans, manage projects, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring complian...
1 week ago
Senior Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer - Water Practice
$116K - $133K *
Join our team as a Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, where you'll design and manage control systems for water and wastewater treatment facilities, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate...
1 week ago
Senior Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer - Water Practice
$116K - $133K *
Join us to lead the design and implementation of advanced control systems for water and wastewater treatment facilities. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring...
1 week ago
$100K - $140K *
Engage in impactful stormwater engineering projects, preparing hydraulic studies, drainage reports, and design plans. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and mentor junior st...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineer II - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $166K *
Drive innovative solutions in water and wastewater treatment as a licensed Professional Engineer. Collaborate with a supportive team to enhance critical infrastructure, mentor junior engineers, and le...
Yesterday
Infrastructure Senior Civil Engineer - Municipal Water/Wastewater
$85K - $100K *
Unlock potential by leading municipal water and wastewater projects from planning to construction, fostering long-term client relationships while ensuring technical excellence and community impact...
1 week ago
Infrastructure Senior Civil Engineer - Municipal Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Lead municipal water and wastewater projects from planning to construction, fostering long-term client relationships while ensuring technical excellence and community impact...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading complex engineering projects, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior staff. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet client goals...
4 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Lead technical design initiatives, ensuring project compliance and quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver complex engineering solutions while mentoring junior staff and managing p...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower project success by leading design activities, ensuring quality, and mentoring engineering teams. Leverage your expertise to tackle complex challenges and deliver innovative solutions that meet...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform project outcomes by leading design activities, ensuring quality, and mentoring engineering teams. Leverage your expertise to tackle complex challenges and deliver innovative solutions that m...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading complex engineering projects, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior staff. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet client goals...
4 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Manager - Water
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team to lead and manage complex environmental projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering client relationships across municipal stormwater and wastewater initiatives in South...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Champion innovative water/wastewater projects, leading design and execution while managing client relationships and project teams to ensure timely, budget-conscious delivery of high-quality engineerin...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of municipal infrastructure by delivering innovative hydraulic modeling and design solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance stormwater management and conveyance...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Engineer (Engineer IV)
$103K - $159K *
Join a dynamic team to lead environmental engineering projects, focusing on remediation and construction services for federal clients. Drive project success through technical expertise, client coordin...
Yesterday
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.