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.
Civil Engineer - Water Resources Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to sustainable water resource management. In this role, you'll leverage stormwater management expertise to drive innovative solutions for transportation and site developme...
Reposted 1 week ago
Civil Engineer - Water Resources Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by leading innovative water resource solutions in transportation and site development. Utilize your stormwater management expertise in a collaborative and impact-driven environme...
Reposted 1 week ago
Stormwater Management Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Transform stormwater management by developing innovative solutions for diverse projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance, enhance infrastructure, and navigate complex per...
3 weeks ago
$72K - $87K *
Support diverse water/wastewater design projects, collaborating with a skilled team to enhance municipal systems while gaining invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship to advance your engineering...
Reposted 4 days ago
$72K - $87K *
Tackle challenges in water/wastewater engineering, designing and delivering projects that enhance municipal systems. Collaborate with a skilled team to support vital infrastructure improvements in a d...
Reposted 4 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Transform stormwater management by leading design and analysis projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance with regulations while enhancing public safety and environmental resources...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in water/wastewater engineering projects, managing multi-discipline teams and client relationships. Drive business growth while mentoring junior staff and ensuring project success from...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of water and wastewater engineering by leading diverse teams in project management, design, and client relations. This role offers growth opportunities as you drive business developme...
Yesterday
$82K - $138K *
Explore exciting large-scale water projects, leading design and construction phases. Engage in collaboration, technical development, and client interactions while driving project success across multip...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Wastewater Treatment Engineer Technology Leader
$100K - $120K *
Unlock your potential by leading wastewater process engineering projects. Bring your expert knowledge in treatment systems to drive innovative solutions and support diverse projects while focusing on...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Civil/Environmental Engineer or Project Manager
$100K - $150K *
Advance solid waste management solutions by leading engineering projects, preparing designs, and coordinating with clients and teams. Utilize your expertise to drive impactful results in landfill desi...
3 days ago
Civil Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$89K - $118K *
Champion the development of innovative municipal infrastructure solutions through comprehensive design, analysis, and collaboration to enhance water and wastewater systems, ensuring efficiency and sus...
Reposted 2 days ago
Engineering Project Manager - Drinking Water
$140K - $170K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative drinking water projects, ensuring safe and sustainable systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle evolving water quality challenges and enhanc...
Today
Engineering Project Manager - Drinking Water
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by leading impactful drinking water projects. Manage the full project lifecycle, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and drive innovative solutions to ensure safe and sustain...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Project Engineer, guiding technical design, mentoring staff, and ensuring quality throughout projects. Collaborate across disciplines to meet client needs while leading...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Staff Engineer
$86K - $110K *
Unlock potential by contributing to innovative water/wastewater design projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance municipal and industrial treatment solutions, ensuring compliance and effici...
2 weeks ago
Drinking Water Process Staff Engineer
$120K - $210K *
Elevate water treatment solutions by applying innovative design strategies and technical expertise. Collaborate on complex projects ensuring optimal treatment processes while mentoring junior engineer...
Reposted 3 days ago
Water Resources Senior Engineer
$100K - $150K *
Lead complex water resource projects, managing design and analysis while mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions for municipal clients and...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of electrical design by leading multiple projects, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring seamless coordination across disciplines while delivering innovative s...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative electrical engineering solutions. Lead project delivery, mentor junior staff, and enhance client relationships while ensuring compliance with indu...
3 days ago
$103K - $149K *
Champion electrical engineering excellence by leading project delivery, mentoring teams, and fostering client relationships. Balance hands-on design with strategic oversight to ensure compliance and i...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion the design and engineering of diverse water/wastewater projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while mentoring junior engineers and managing project deliverables as Engineer-of...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of electrical engineering by leading multiple design projects, coordinating cross-discipline activities, and mentoring junior staff while ensuring compliance with...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of electrical engineering by leading design projects, coordinating cross-discipline activities, and mentoring junior staff while ensuring compliance with industry standards and cl...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of electrical design by leading innovative projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across disciplines to deliver high-quality solutions in commercial and instituti...
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.