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 *
Engage in advanced AC interference modeling and design mitigation systems to enhance pipeline safety. Collaborate with clients and teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while delivering e...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of pipeline safety by designing and evaluating AC mitigation systems. Engage in complex modeling, third-party reviews, and client support to enhance integrity and compliance in corros...
1 week ago
$115K - $192K *
Champion large-scale water and wastewater projects by leading design, construction, and startup phases. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing budgets, schedules, and cl...
Today
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's transforming water infrastructure projects. Lead diverse design and construction initiatives, manage project scopes, and collaborate with clients to deliver impactful solutions on a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$109K - $182K *
Take ownership of large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure projects while leading design, construction, and startup phases. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project delivery al...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by contributing to impactful water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design resilient infrastructure solutions while mentoring junior engineers a...
1 week ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Lead impactful water infrastructure projects by providing technical and design services. Collaborate with a dedicated team to ensure successful project completion while enhancing community resources a...
2 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in traffic engineering excellence across South Carolina, managing complex projects and fostering client relationships while mentoring a talented team. Drive innovative solutions and en...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform your career with a leadership role in traffic engineering, focusing on design and analysis for diverse clients across South Carolina. Drive project success while mentoring staff and fosterin...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineering Manager - Water/Wastewater Las Vegas
$114K - $191K *
Drive the execution of innovative water projects by leading multi-discipline engineering teams, managing project budgets, schedules, and fostering client relationships to deliver advanced treatment an...
Reposted 1 week ago
Water Resources Engineer/Planner
$135K - $185K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing water resource management through innovative solutions. Leverage your technical expertise in surface and groundwater management, modeling, and project feasibi...
3 weeks ago
Water Resources Engineer/Planner
$135K - $185K *
Optimize water resource management by leveraging technical expertise in surface and groundwater systems, modeling, and project feasibility. Collaborate effectively to enhance water supply reliability...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water Resources
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water resources through innovative project management. Lead diverse engineering projects, collaborate with clients, and drive impactful solutions in a supporti...
1 week ago
Senior Project Engineer (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $143K *
Advance your career by providing essential water services, including planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Collaborate on diverse projects addressing both routine and complex...
4 weeks ago
Wastewater Treatment Project Manager
$135K - $170K *
Champion innovative wastewater treatment projects from concept to commissioning, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance infrastructure and optimize plant performance while ensuring regu...
6 days ago
Licensed Civil Engineer - Water Engineering
$90K - $130K *
Join a dynamic Water Engineering team to lead projects, design infrastructure, and mentor staff. Shape the future of water systems while collaborating with clients and managing project scopes from pro...
Yesterday
$145K - $180K *
Drive impactful hydrogeology projects across North America, leveraging your expertise in groundwater hydrology, contaminant modeling, and field investigations to support mining and environmental initi...
4 weeks ago
Project Manager, Industrial Water
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of industrial water solutions by leading business strategies and project execution. Drive client engagement, ensure project performance, and mentor a high-performing team to meet...
Reposted 3 days ago
Environmental Engineer/Project Technical Leader
$95K - $167K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative engineering solutions for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure technical excellence, compliance, and client satisfaction wh...
1 week ago
Senior Stormwater Engineer / Team Lead
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in innovative stormwater management projects, guiding a talented team while delivering high-quality solutions for diverse clients. Drive collaboration across disciplines and mentor the...
Today
Senior Stormwater Engineer / Team Lead
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in innovative stormwater management projects, guiding a talented team while delivering high-quality solutions for diverse clients. Engage in business development and community outreach...
1 week ago
Senior Instrumentation & Control Systems Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative I&C engineering solutions for water and wastewater projects. Mentor junior staff while overseeing project design, construction, and commissioning, ensuring tec...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineering Manager - Industrial Water
$126K - $211K *
Lead multi-discipline engineering teams to execute diverse water projects, ensuring quality and timeliness. Optimize budgets and schedules while mentoring staff and interfacing with clients for succes...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Civil Engineer - Water Resources Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovative stormwater management solutions for sustainable water resource projects. Collaborate with teams on hydrologic modeling and regulatory compliance while managing multiple projects in a...
Reposted 1 week ago
Civil Engineer - Water Resources Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative stormwater management solutions. Lead hydrologic and hydraulic modeling efforts for diverse municipal and transportation projects while collaborating with cross...
Reposted 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.