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 Manager, Water Treatment
$100K - $120K *
Transform your career by leading diverse water and wastewater projects. Drive project success from planning to commissioning while mentoring junior staff and enhancing client relationships across Sout...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing diverse water and wastewater projects, from planning to execution. Utilize your technical expertise to ensure project success while mentoring junior staff and fostering cli...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water treatment projects. Lead diverse teams through planning, design, and construction phases while ensuring project efficiency and client satisfaction across...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing diverse water and wastewater projects, from planning to execution. Utilize your technical expertise to mentor teams, ensure project efficiency, and foster client relationsh...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$100K - $120K *
Innovate in project management by leading diverse water and wastewater treatment projects. Oversee planning, design, and construction phases while mentoring junior staff and ensuring project efficienc...
1 week ago
Project Manager, Water Treatment
$100K - $120K *
Lead and manage diverse water/wastewater projects from planning to commissioning. Collaborate with teams, ensure project efficiency, and mentor junior staff while driving business development in South...
1 week ago
Project Engineering Manager - Industrial Water
$108K - $130K *
Join a team that manages complex engineering projects in industrial water, leading multi-discipline teams to deliver advanced treatment solutions while ensuring client satisfaction and project success...
Reposted 1 week ago
Water Resources - Project Manager
$85K - $100K *
Shape the future of urban stormwater management by leading innovative projects. Drive collaboration and exceptional service while mentoring your team through watershed planning, green infrastructure...
Reposted yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Lead and mentor a team of engineers on diverse civil projects, ensuring quality deliverables and client satisfaction while managing budgets, timelines, and regulatory compliance across multiple initia...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative civil engineering solutions while leading diverse teams on impactful dam, power, and infrastructure projects. Drive project success through effective client engagement, technical e...
3 days ago
$121K - $182K *
Engage in impactful civil engineering projects, managing design, workflow, and budgets. Collaborate with teams on site development, utility systems, and regulatory compliance, ensuring innovative solu...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by leading diverse civil engineering projects, mentoring teams, and driving client relationships. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative solutions for infrastructure...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform your career by leading diverse civil engineering projects, mentoring teams, and enhancing client relationships. Drive innovation and collaboration across disciplines while ensuring project s...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead diverse civil engineering projects, mentoring teams and ensuring quality deliverables. Collaborate across disciplines, manage client relationships, and oversee project execution from design to co...
3 days ago
Water Resources Engineer - Senior Level (Hybrid)
$100K - $130K *
Champion innovative water resource solutions by leading multidisciplinary teams in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, project management, and technical support, ensuring effective stormwater planning...
2 weeks ago
Construction Executive (Water / Wastewater)
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional construction projects. Lead field operations, ensure compliance, and foster a culture of safety and quality while managing resources and client r...
Today
Construction Executive (Water / Wastewater)
$110K - $130K *
Transform your career by leading innovative construction projects, ensuring safety and quality while managing field operations. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver exceptional results on time an...
Today
Geotechnical Engineer - Water Management
$115K - $165K *
Partner with us to deliver innovative geotechnical solutions for critical infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and enhance your leadership skills...
4 weeks ago
Geotechnical Engineer - Water Management
$115K - $165K *
Join a dynamic team as you analyze geotechnical challenges, delivering innovative solutions for critical infrastructure projects. Collaborate with experts, mentor junior engineers, and enhance your le...
4 weeks ago
Geotechnical Engineer - Water Management
$115K - $165K *
Transform communities by leading geotechnical projects that enhance infrastructure resilience. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions, mentor junior engineers, and ta...
4 weeks ago
Project Manager – Water/Wastewater
$85K - $100K *
Drive innovative water/wastewater design projects, managing multi-disciplined teams to deliver effective solutions for municipal and industrial clients while ensuring project scope, budget, and timeli...
2 weeks ago
$139K - $185K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative electrical systems for power generation and microgrid projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions while managing budget...
1 week ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$108K - $130K *
Lead the successful delivery of multi-million-dollar water infrastructure projects. Manage project execution, staffing, and client engagement while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and financ...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by supporting critical water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure efficient construction, manage documentation, and uphold quality standards while driving proj...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team, leading innovative civil engineering projects. Oversee design compliance, mentor staff, and ensure cost-effective solutions while maintaining professional standar...
3 weeks 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.