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.
$115K - $165K *
Lead the design and implementation of electrical systems for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions, mentor junior engineers, and ensur...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing complex water/wastewater projects, overseeing teams, budgets, and schedules while ensuring quality and compliance. Leverage existing relationships to drive business develop...
6 days ago
$90K - $130K *
Shape the future of hydrogeology by leading interdisciplinary projects, managing client relationships, and mentoring teams. Join a dynamic environment where your expertise will drive impactful solutio...
6 days ago
Water Resources Consultant - Senior Level (Hybrid)
$130K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to lead growth in water resources consulting, driving strategic initiatives, client relationships, and project execution while fostering collaboration and innovation in a hybrid wo...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Drive safety excellence by coordinating compliance, conducting inspections, and providing training to ensure a secure construction environment. Collaborate with teams to uphold safety standards and mi...
Today
Senior Piping Designer (Water/Wastewater Treatment)
$95K - $115K *
Innovate in leading BIM/VDC strategies for water/wastewater projects. Drive design excellence, mentor teams, and integrate cutting-edge technologies while ensuring high-quality model coordination and...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Water
$130K - $176K *
Lead complex water resources projects, integrating technical and commercial strategies while guiding multidisciplinary teams through planning, execution, and client engagement to ensure successful del...
2 days ago
Project Manager - Municipal Water/Wastewater
$114K - $190K *
Empower your career by leading impactful water/wastewater projects, mentoring engineers, and enhancing client relationships. Drive project success from concept to construction while shaping the future...
Yesterday
Senior Engineer - Water Structures
$160K - $200K *
Contribute to the design and analysis of vital water infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and quality. Lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and engage with clients to deliver...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Water Structures
$160K - $200K *
Lead the design and analysis of water infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and innovation. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions that enhance community serv...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Water Structures
$160K - $200K *
Engage in the design and analysis of vital water infrastructure projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring compliance and quality while mentoring junior engineers...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Water Structures
$160K - $200K *
Empower communities by leading innovative water infrastructure projects. As a Senior Structural Engineer, you'll design and analyze critical facilities, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance...
3 weeks ago
Water Resources Hydrogeologist/Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive impactful water resource initiatives by managing complex hydrogeological projects, from feasibility studies to implementation. Collaborate with clients across multiple states to innovate and exe...
Reposted today
Civil Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $160K *
Lead innovative water/wastewater projects, managing design, permitting, and client relations. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality outcomes while mentoring junior staff and...
1 week ago
Electrical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $166K *
Explore a rewarding leadership role mentoring engineers in electrical design for municipal water and wastewater projects. Drive technical success while fostering collaboration in a dynamic team dedica...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$85K - $116K *
Empower environmental sustainability by analyzing and designing solutions for water and wastewater management. Collaborate with engineers to enhance public health outcomes through innovative environme...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer - Team Lead (H&H/Irrigation & Stormwater)
$105K - $140K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative water resources projects. Drive impactful solutions in flood mitigation, stormwater management, and watershed protection while mentoring a high-performing tea...
4 weeks ago
Senior Civil / Environmental Engineer - Wastewater & Site Design
$130K - $160K *
Lead the charge in wastewater and civil engineering projects, driving evaluations, designs, and technical deliverables while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating across disciplines to ensure p...
1 week ago
Senior Environmental Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Lead diverse environmental projects across multiple states, managing teams and client relationships while ensuring compliance and technical excellence. Drive project success through mentorship and str...
6 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team to lead stormwater design and civil engineering projects, ensuring effective project delivery from concept to construction while collaborating with cross-functional teams and maint...
5 days ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$106K - $164K *
Lead impactful water and wastewater treatment projects, guiding teams from planning through execution. Drive business development and client relations while ensuring project efficiency and compliance...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$106K - $156K *
Transform water treatment projects by leading teams from planning to execution. Utilize your technical expertise to ensure project success while mentoring junior staff and enhancing client relationshi...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$106K - $156K *
Elevate your career by leading transformative water and wastewater projects. Drive project success from planning to commissioning while mentoring junior staff and enhancing client relationships across...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$106K - $164K *
Deliver impactful water and wastewater projects by leading teams through all phases, from planning to commissioning. Utilize technical expertise to ensure project success while mentoring junior staff...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$106K - $156K *
Lead and manage diverse water and wastewater treatment projects, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction from planning through execution. Collaborate with teams to drive project success...
1 week 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.