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 Industrial Water Wastewater Process Engineer
$121K - $182K *
Transform industrial water and wastewater projects by leveraging 10+ years of engineering expertise. Lead design management, collaborate with teams, and drive business growth through innovative treatm...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$88K - $105K *
Lead hydrologic and hydraulic projects, ensuring compliance with FEMA regulations while mentoring teams and managing client relationships. Drive innovative solutions in floodplain management and water...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $160K *
Unlock potential by managing diverse water/wastewater projects from planning to construction. Collaborate across disciplines, ensuring projects meet timelines and budgets while fostering client relati...
2 weeks ago
Senior Process Mechanical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$106K - $156K *
Lead multidisciplinary teams in the design and management of water/wastewater projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards while delivering innovative solutions that enhance community infrast...
3 days ago
Senior Process Mechanical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$106K - $156K *
Unlock potential by managing diverse water/wastewater projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards while fostering client relationships and driving projec...
3 days ago
Senior Process Mechanical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$106K - $156K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative water/wastewater infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to manage complex engineering tasks, ensuring quality and compliance while fo...
3 days ago
Senior Process Mechanical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$106K - $156K *
Transform water infrastructure projects by leveraging your expertise in process mechanical engineering and project management. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions...
3 days ago
$85K - $102K *
Join us to lead innovative water/wastewater engineering projects, utilizing your expertise in infrastructure design, data analytics, and collaborative problem-solving to enhance community resilience a...
1 week ago
Senior Water Systems Planning Engineer
$115K - $176K *
Join a dynamic team to lead engineering projects, providing technical expertise and direction. Collaborate with stakeholders to assess and solve complex water system challenges while managing resource...
Today
Senior Engineer - Municipal Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to lead innovative water and wastewater engineering projects. Oversee planning, design, and execution while managing budgets and schedules. Foster client relationships and mentor j...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Municipal Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in innovative municipal wastewater projects, managing design, execution, and multi-discipline teams while fostering client relationships and mentoring junior engineers to drive impactf...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading complex civil engineering projects, mentoring teams, and driving client relationships. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative solutions in the Water/Wastewate...
Today
Principal Water/Wastewater Engineer
$140K - $205K *
Shape the future of water management by leading innovative projects in water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. Utilize your expertise to manage teams, engage clients, and drive business development...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Advance your career by leading innovative projects, collaborating across teams, and driving strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and foster growth in a dynamic environment...
1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Design Engineer
$92K - $151K *
Design and engineer innovative water/wastewater solutions. Lead projects from planning to execution, ensuring compliance and efficiency while collaborating with teams and stakeholders to deliver high...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Design Engineer
$92K - $151K *
Champion innovative water/wastewater solutions by designing and analyzing critical engineering projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance public health through effective treatment facilities...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Design Engineer
$92K - $151K *
Transform water/wastewater engineering projects by planning, designing, and analyzing systems. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing multiple assignments effectively an...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Design Engineer
$92K - $151K *
Advance your career by leading innovative water/wastewater engineering projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design and analyze systems that ensure clean water and effective treatment solutions...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$125K - $200K *
Elevate your career by leading sustainable municipal water/wastewater projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing client relationships and driving business...
6 days ago
Senior Water Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams on complex water projects, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction. Manage project lifecycle, budgets, and staff while fostering strong client rela...
1 week ago
Senior Registered Electrical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$156K - $261K *
Champion electrical design for water/wastewater projects, offering technical guidance and business development support while fostering strong client relationships to meet project goals and regulatory...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Water Infrastructure Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Champion the future of water/wastewater infrastructure by leading projects from planning to construction. Drive client satisfaction and business development while managing multidisciplinary teams in a...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage in innovative engineering solutions for municipal water/wastewater projects, overseeing all phases from planning to construction. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful p...
Today
Senior Water Resources Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Empower innovative water resources solutions by leading complex projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring client satisfaction while driving operational excellence and business growth in...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of water and wastewater projects by leading design and management efforts, collaborating with diverse clients, and mentoring team members to deliver innovative solutions in the Mid-At...
Reposted 6 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.