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.
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to support critical water and wastewater projects, ensuring efficient construction and compliance with engineering standards while collaborating with project management and subcont...
1 week ago
Civil Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$140K - $200K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee water/wastewater infrastructure projects, guiding engineers and technical staff in design, construction oversight, and client coordination to deliver impactful solutions...
Today
Project Manager, Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Join us to lead municipal wastewater infrastructure projects, managing planning, design, and delivery while coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring quality standards, budgets, and schedules...
2 weeks ago
Lead Building Mechanical Engineering Manager - Water / Wastewater Industry
$129K - $212K *
Lead the charge in building mechanical engineering by overseeing innovative projects, ensuring compliance with codes, and driving team performance. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver successful...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Lead Building Mechanical Engineering Manager - Water / Wastewater Industry
$129K - $212K *
Champion innovative building mechanical engineering solutions by leading a skilled team in HVAC, plumbing, and fire sprinkler design. Ensure compliance with codes and standards while driving project s...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Explore your potential by leading water/wastewater projects within a dynamic team. Engage with clients and oversee design, permitting, and site work for diverse developments. Grow your career through...
Reposted 4 days ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater Services
$120K - $210K *
Drive impactful municipal water and wastewater projects, leading multidisciplinary teams and ensuring client satisfaction through effective communication, technical expertise, and strategic project ma...
Yesterday
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater Services
$91K - $160K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of project management, overseeing budgets, schedules, and stakeholder engagement. Drive project success through risk assessment, resource planning, and client rela...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Champion engineering excellence by leading design and execution of projects, ensuring compliance and quality. Collaborate with teams and clients to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring junior...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Advance your career by leading engineering design and execution on diverse projects. As a licensed Professional Engineer, you'll ensure quality, compliance, and collaboration while mentoring junior st...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$90K - $110K *
Lead multi-disciplinary teams in delivering complex water/wastewater projects. Utilize your technical expertise to manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets while ensuring client satisfaction and...
4 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Unlock your potential as a Project Manager, leading multi-disciplinary teams in delivering complex water/wastewater projects. Drive client satisfaction and project success from inception to completion...
4 weeks ago
Senior Manager/Engineer (Water Resources)
$131K - $195K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water resources through innovative engineering leadership. Drive complex infrastructure projects from concept to completion while mentoring talent and fosterin...
1 week ago
Water Resources Engineer – Senior Level (Hybrid)
$120K - $170K *
Engineer innovative water resource solutions, leading hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for diverse projects. Collaborate with clients and agencies while mentoring junior staff to ensure successful pr...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager, Water / Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing municipal wastewater projects from planning to delivery. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality, compliance, and client satisfaction while mentoring eng...
2 weeks ago
Water Resources Engineer, Land Development
$80K - $95K *
Explore your potential by joining a dynamic team focused on municipal infrastructure and land development. Contribute to innovative water resources engineering projects, ensuring sustainable solutions...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead multidisciplinary water resources engineering projects, focusing on groundwater development and water supply planning. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior engineers while ensuring regulato...
5 days ago
Sr. Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$161K - $274K *
Lead and manage water solutions projects, fostering client relationships and ensuring strategic execution for successful outcomes and financial success within the local office...
Reposted 1 week ago
Sr. Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing client relationships and executing strategic water projects, ensuring operational excellence and financial success in a dynamic engineering environment. Foster team develop...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Environmental Scientist / Engineer
$90K - $110K *
Lead environmental assessments on contaminated sites to drive remediation and sustainable solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project compliance and deliver quality outcomes...
Reposted 6 days ago
Water and Wastewater Market Sector Lead
$110K - $130K *
Drive the growth and strategic vision for Florida's Water and Wastewater sectors, focusing on collaborative delivery and project management. Lead initiatives, mentor staff, and enhance client relation...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer (Deer Island Engineering)
$91K - $128K *
Elevate your engineering career by managing wastewater projects, overseeing design and construction, and leading a team to ensure compliance with regulations and budgets while fostering collaboration...
Yesterday
Drinking Water Process Engineer
$97K - $194K *
Pioneer innovative solutions in water treatment engineering, optimizing processes and collaborating across project teams to address complex drinking water challenges nationally while mentoring junior...
Reposted today
Drinking Water Process Engineer
$88K - $176K *
Drive impactful solutions in drinking water treatment and purification. Collaborate with experts on local and national projects while enhancing your technical expertise and responsibilities in a suppo...
Reposted yesterday
Drinking Water Process Engineer
$84K - $169K *
Solve complex challenges in drinking water treatment and reuse. Collaborate with engineers on innovative projects, improving municipal systems and optimizing operations for sustainable water purificat...
Reposted 4 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.