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.
Sr. Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$108K - $130K *
Manage and coordinate multiple municipal water/wastewater projects, ensuring timely delivery within budget. Collaborate with stakeholders and oversee project phases from planning to closeout, while mi...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager Engineering (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Drive impactful water management solutions by leading comprehensive projects in planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to tackle both rout...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager Engineering (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Champion innovative water management solutions by leading projects in planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Collaborate with diverse teams to address community-wide challenges...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager Engineering (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Transform water management by leading comprehensive projects in planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to address both routine and complex...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager Engineering (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Lead the charge in managing comprehensive water services, overseeing planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Address diverse challenges from routine supply to complex treatment...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager Engineering (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Champion comprehensive water services by managing planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Address diverse challenges from routine supply to complex treatment, ensuring effective...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager Engineering (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Take ownership of comprehensive water services management, overseeing planning, design, and construction for drinking water systems. Address diverse challenges, from routine supply to complex treatmen...
4 weeks ago
Intermediate Professional, Water Resources Engineering
$84K - $105K *
Partner with us to support environmental projects by analyzing water resources, ensuring compliance, and assisting in remediation efforts. Contribute to sustainable practices while collaborating with...
Reposted 2 days ago
Intermediate Professional, Water Resources Engineering
$84K - $105K *
Contribute to environmental projects by supporting technical staff in data collection, analysis, and documentation. Engage in water resources engineering tasks, ensuring compliance with industry stand...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Dams Engineer/Project Manager
$100K - $150K *
Drive the expansion of water infrastructure projects in Upstate NY while managing multidisciplinary teams, delivering complex designs, and cultivating client relationships to grow market presence and...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Environmental Engineer (Biosolids & Wastewater Treatment)
$117K - $191K *
Engineer innovative solutions in environmental engineering, focusing on water sustainability and public health. Lead complex projects with minimal supervision, ensuring compliance and quality while me...
3 weeks ago
Strategic Planning Consultant - Water & Wastewater Utilities
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading strategic planning for a water utility. Collaborate with stakeholders to assess priorities, design actionable plans, and ensure alignment with long-term goals while enhanci...
2 weeks ago
Staff Environmental Sciences Specialist - Industrial Wastewater Permitting Focus
$108K - $163K *
Join a team that's dedicated to environmental stewardship, supporting clients in achieving compliance with state and federal regulations across diverse projects. Collaborate with experts to ensure sus...
5 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer I
$100K - $120K *
Transform your career with a senior role leading environmental projects, managing teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations while mentoring junior staff and driving technical excellence in a dyn...
4 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Engineer I
$113K - $165K *
Transform environmental projects by leading investigations and remediation efforts. Leverage your expertise to mentor staff, manage client relationships, and ensure compliance while driving innovative...
1 month ago
$110K - $140K *
Advance your career by leading drainage and stormwater design for transportation projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative engineering solutions while mentoring junior e...
Reposted yesterday
Water/Wastewater Construction Manager
$88K - $105K *
Drive impactful water facility projects by managing construction teams, ensuring compliance, and coordinating with stakeholders. Oversee project costs, schedules, and inspections to deliver high-quali...
2 weeks ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Drive innovative water and wastewater solutions nationwide, supporting strategic initiatives and regulatory compliance for diverse clients. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance project...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Shape the future of water management by leading innovative projects in water and wastewater strategy. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions for industrial clients a...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as you lead innovative water strategy initiatives nationwide, driving compliance and sustainability for advanced manufacturing and industrial clients while collaborating with mul...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Join a team that's shaping water strategy initiatives nationwide, focusing on due diligence, water supply development, and compliance for advanced manufacturing and industrial clients. Drive innovativ...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Play a key role in advancing water strategy initiatives nationwide, supporting due diligence evaluations, water supply development, and compliance for industrial clients while collaborating with multi...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Deliver innovative water and wastewater solutions by managing projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and providing regulatory guidance to ensure compliance and optimize resource managem...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Drive innovative water strategy initiatives nationwide, overseeing due diligence, sourcing, and compliance for advanced manufacturing and industrial clients. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams t...
1 week ago
Project Engineer/Manager - Water and Wastewater
$96K - $140K *
Transform your career by leading innovative water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategies, ensure compliance, and deliver sustainable solutions for dive...
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.