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.
Project Director - Water/Wastewater
$125K - $150K *
Play a key role in managing multi-million dollar water infrastructure projects, driving business development, client engagement, and project execution while mentoring staff and enhancing team performa...
Reposted 1 week ago
Wastewater Treatment Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Manage wastewater treatment projects from concept to commissioning, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize plant performance and deliver impactful infrastructure solutions that enhance...
6 days ago
Wastewater Treatment Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Empower communities by managing wastewater treatment projects from concept to commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize plant performance and deliver impactful infrastructure...
1 week ago
Engineering Manager - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Drive impactful water and wastewater projects by leading technical design and team development. Leverage your engineering expertise to ensure high-quality outcomes while managing resources and fosteri...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Transform water and wastewater engineering through technical leadership and team development. Oversee project delivery while mentoring early-career engineers, ensuring high-quality outcomes and effect...
3 weeks ago
Principal Water Resources Engineer
$135K - $200K *
Grow your career with a leading role in managing water resource projects, providing expertise in hydrologic modeling, and mentoring staff while ensuring compliance with regulations and delivering inno...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Civil / Environmental Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead the design and delivery of municipal water and wastewater systems, ensuring high-quality engineering solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers while managing...
1 week ago
$100K - $140K *
Unlock potential by tackling complex environmental challenges through engineering evaluations, compliance audits, and client consulting. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop innovative solutions...
Yesterday
Principal Process Engineer - Water
$110K - $130K *
Transform water treatment systems by designing innovative solutions for diverse applications. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and efficiency while thriving in a fast-paced environment that...
1 week ago
Senior Construction Representative - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Optimize construction oversight for water and wastewater projects, ensuring compliance with plans and safety standards. Leverage extensive experience in treatment plant construction to monitor activit...
3 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Project Manager
$130K - $165K *
Transform your career by leading complex water/wastewater projects, managing teams, and building client relationships. Drive project success while ensuring quality and compliance in a dynamic engineer...
Reposted today
Water/Wastewater Senior Project Manager
$130K - $165K *
Join our team to lead and manage diverse water/wastewater projects, fostering client relationships and guiding a skilled team. Your expertise will drive project success and enhance our department's im...
Reposted today
Lead Structural Engineer, Water/Wastewater
$135K - $179K *
Lead innovative structural engineering solutions for water and wastewater facilities, driving project outcomes and mentoring junior engineers while ensuring integration with multidisciplinary teams an...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Water Resources Engineer / Senior Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative water resource solutions through advanced engineering design, project management, and collaboration with diverse experts to meet client needs and drive sustainabl...
1 week ago
Senior Plumbing Engineering Designer
$118K - $147K *
Transform plumbing design by leading complex projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to teams while managing project timelines and deliverable...
1 week ago
Senior Plumbing Engineering Designer
$118K - $147K *
Join a dynamic MEP/FP team to lead plumbing engineering projects, ensuring high-quality designs and technical guidance across various sectors. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while advancing...
1 week ago
Senior Plumbing Engineering Designer
$118K - $147K *
Lead plumbing engineering design for diverse projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards. Mentor team members, oversee project execution, and maintain high-quality deliverables while coordi...
1 week ago
Senior Plumbing Engineering Designer
$118K - $147K *
Join our dynamic MEP/FP team to lead plumbing design for diverse projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables and technical consistency while mentoring engineers and coordinating with multidisciplinar...
1 week ago
$119K - $175K *
Deliver high-quality civil engineering solutions for diverse projects, providing technical leadership and mentoring while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and budget objectives across multidi...
1 week ago
Civil Engineer VI: Wastewater Technical SME
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in advancing wastewater engineering by providing expert guidance on complex projects, mentoring teams, and optimizing treatment designs to enhance community infrastructure and engineer...
Reposted 1 week ago
Civil Engineer VI: Wastewater Technical SME
$95K - $115K *
Elevate wastewater engineering by providing senior technical guidance on complex projects, mentoring teams, and optimizing treatment designs across multiple offices. Drive innovation and improve engin...
Reposted 1 week ago
Civil Engineer VI: Wastewater Technical SME
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing wastewater engineering through technical guidance, mentoring, and innovative solutions across diverse projects and teams, enhancing community infrastructure a...
Reposted 1 week ago
Civil Engineer VI: Wastewater Technical SME
$95K - $115K *
Drive technical excellence in wastewater engineering by providing senior guidance, mentoring teams, and optimizing treatment solutions across multiple projects and locations. Elevate standards and pra...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to lead impactful water projects, fostering client relationships and driving business development. Utilize your expertise to manage multi-disciplinary teams and ensure project succ...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Engineer (Waste Management)
$112K - $187K *
Lead a dynamic team in delivering innovative waste management solutions across North America. Utilize your extensive engineering expertise to oversee projects, mentor staff, and foster client relation...
Reposted 3 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.