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 Environmental Compliance Scientist/Engineer
$87K - $136K *
Elevate environmental compliance efforts by managing projects, ensuring adherence to regulations, and fostering client relationships. Lead a team while developing strategies to enhance EHS services an...
2 days ago
General Superintendent - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Transform your career by leading large-scale wastewater infrastructure projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, enforce safety protocols, and ensure efficient project execution while managing resourc...
1 week ago
Senior Civil or Environmental Engineering Project Manager
$110K - $160K *
Unlock potential by leading solid waste projects and client relationships in Wisconsin. Drive business development, manage project profitability, and mentor staff while collaborating with a diverse te...
3 days ago
$122K - $160K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative structural engineering solutions for diverse infrastructure projects, ensuring technical excellence and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams while ment...
1 week ago
Stormwater Project Manager (PE)
$88K - $105K *
Take ownership of stormwater projects, managing all phases from planning to construction. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and budget adherence while addressing challenges and d...
5 days ago
$98K - $164K *
Lead the charge in complex environmental investigations and remediation projects, ensuring client satisfaction and regulatory compliance while mentoring a high-performing team and fostering strong ind...
2 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer - Industrial Water
$126K - $211K *
Unlock innovative electrical design for industrial water projects. Lead initiatives across diverse sectors including Data Centers, Pharmaceuticals, and Oil & Gas. Collaborate with teams to optimize de...
Reposted 1 week ago
Assistant Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$85K - $185K *
Transform your career by overseeing field operations and ensuring project success through effective supervision, safety compliance, and relationship building with subcontractors and suppliers in a dyn...
Today
Senior Program Manager - Water Business Line
$120K - $145K *
Lead a high-performing PMO for a $2B+ water/wastewater capital program. Drive strategic initiatives, ensure compliance, and foster client relationships while managing complex infrastructure projects f...
1 month ago
Project Engineer (Water & Wastewater)
$80K - $110K *
Drive project success by leading engineering teams in designing water treatment systems, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule adherence while mitigating risks and fostering collaboration across depa...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineer (Water & Wastewater)
$80K - $110K *
Develop and execute innovative project designs in water treatment, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule goals are met while collaborating with cross-functional teams to mitigate risks and drive tech...
3 weeks ago
Technical Consultant II, Water Engineer
$104K - $132K *
Accelerate progress at water resources management by applying engineering principles and modeling expertise. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex environmental challenges across...
Reposted 1 week ago
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$85K - $102K *
Lead and manage diverse water/wastewater projects with municipalities, ensuring client satisfaction through effective budget and team management while leveraging funding sources for successful project...
Reposted yesterday
Principal Civil / Environmental Engineer
$156K - $218K *
Drive complex civil and environmental engineering projects, providing senior technical leadership and client advisory support. Oversee landfill closure, remediation, and gas mitigation systems while m...
2 weeks ago
Principal Civil / Environmental Engineer
$156K - $218K *
Shape the future of environmental engineering by leading complex projects in landfill closure, remediation, and gas mitigation. Provide senior technical leadership, mentor teams, and drive business gr...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager-Water Resources
$130K - $160K *
Lead the successful delivery of municipal water and wastewater projects, managing all phases from planning to closeout. Collaborate with clients and teams to ensure quality, cost control, and timely e...
1 week ago
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$85K - $100K *
Grow your career with a leading firm by managing water/wastewater projects, consulting with municipalities, and maximizing funding sources. Lead a diverse team to deliver impactful solutions that enha...
Reposted yesterday
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing impactful water and wastewater projects. Leverage your expertise to ensure successful outcomes for municipalities while leading a collaborative and supportive...
Reposted yesterday
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$85K - $102K *
Grow your career with a team-focused environment, leading water/wastewater projects. Collaborate with municipalities to enhance community infrastructure, manage diverse projects, and deliver outstandi...
Reposted yesterday
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$85K - $102K *
Join a team that's dedicated to leading water/wastewater projects, collaborating with municipalities to deliver impactful solutions while managing budgets and client relationships effectively. Drive s...
Reposted yesterday
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Lead and manage diverse water/wastewater projects for municipalities, ensuring client satisfaction while achieving financial goals. Collaborate with a team of professionals to produce innovative solut...
Reposted yesterday
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$85K - $100K *
Elevate your career by leading impactful water/wastewater projects. Collaborate with municipalities, manage diverse teams, and leverage funding sources to achieve successful outcomes while enhancing c...
Reposted yesterday
Water & Wastewater Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Unlock potential by leading water/wastewater projects with municipalities, ensuring successful implementation and leveraging funding sources. Collaborate with a team to achieve client satisfaction whi...
Reposted yesterday
$105K - $135K *
Join a team that's focused on delivering impactful geotechnical engineering solutions. Lead projects in transportation and infrastructure, managing teams and driving technical excellence while collabo...
Reposted 1 week ago
$105K - $135K *
Join our team to manage and deliver impactful geotechnical projects by utilizing your advanced engineering skills, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation within transportation and infrastruct...
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.