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.
Department Manager - Water Resources
$100K - $120K *
Transform water resources management by leading a skilled team to deliver innovative projects for municipal, state, and federal clients, ensuring operational excellence and fostering professional grow...
3 weeks ago
Department Manager - Water Resources
$100K - $120K *
Oversee a dynamic team in delivering innovative water resources projects, managing budgets, and fostering staff development while ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence across municip...
3 weeks ago
Department Manager - Water Resources
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team in delivering innovative water resources projects. This role combines technical expertise, project management, and staff development to enhance client rel...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$150K - $200K *
Unlock potential by leading and expanding multi-discipline water/wastewater projects. Drive growth with autonomy, build client relationships, and mentor teams while managing profitable projects in a d...
1 week ago
Electrical Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Develop innovative electrical solutions for water/wastewater systems. Lead project delivery, manage multidisciplinary teams, and ensure compliance while fostering client relationships and mentoring st...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Program Manager
$80K - $95K *
Optimize project management processes by coordinating schedules, contracts, and deliverables. Collaborate with engineers and clients to ensure timely execution of water/wastewater projects while maint...
Today
Water/Wastewater Engineering Client Manager
$120K - $165K *
Lead the charge in managing water/wastewater projects, fostering client relationships, and guiding a multidisciplinary team to deliver impactful engineering solutions while ensuring compliance with in...
Reposted today
Water/Wastewater Engineering Client Manager
$120K - $165K *
Champion client relationships and lead multidisciplinary teams in managing water/wastewater projects. Oversee project scopes, budgets, and schedules while ensuring compliance with regulations and deli...
Reposted today
$100K - $130K *
Lead the charge in electrical design for specialized systems, overseeing everything from drafting to commissioning. Collaborate with teams to tackle environmental challenges while ensuring compliance...
1 week ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Process Engineer/Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Optimize project delivery by leading multi-discipline teams in planning, designing, and managing water and wastewater systems, ensuring quality and timely execution while fostering strong client relat...
1 week ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Lead technical design and engineering execution on diverse projects, ensuring compliance and quality from concept to completion. Mentor staff, coordinate across disciplines, and engage with clients wh...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Lead technical design and engineering execution on diverse projects, ensuring compliance and quality from concept to completion. Mentor junior staff and coordinate across disciplines while balancing b...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer innovative water resource solutions by leading a dynamic team, enhancing client relationships, and driving project success across high-profile infrastructure initiatives in Central Texas...
2 weeks ago
Structural Engineer - Water/Wastewater
$115K - $200K *
Empower your career by leading structural design for water infrastructure projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver efficient and resilient solutions that positively impact commu...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Lead the charge in hydraulic engineering for large-scale water resource projects, ensuring quality deliverables and fostering client relationships while mentoring future leaders and driving business g...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of hydraulic engineering for large-scale water resource projects. Lead initiatives, mentor talent, and drive business growth while ensuring quality and compliance...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Shape the future of hydraulic engineering by leading large-scale water resource projects. Drive business growth, manage project deliverables, and mentor future leaders while ensuring quality and compl...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Shape the future of hydraulic engineering by leading large-scale water resource projects, ensuring quality deliverables, and driving business growth through strategic client engagement and team leader...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Transform your career by leading hydraulic engineering projects, driving business growth, and mentoring future leaders. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions for l...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Join a team that's redefining hydraulic engineering for large water projects. Lead initiatives, manage risks, and mentor future leaders while ensuring quality deliverables and fostering client relatio...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of hydraulic engineering for large-scale water resource projects. Lead initiatives, mentor talent, and drive business growth while ensuring quality and compliance...
1 week ago
Senior Applied Hydraulics Engineer
$75K - $310K *
Transform water resource projects by leading hydraulic engineering initiatives, ensuring quality deliverables, and fostering client relationships. Drive business growth while mentoring future leaders...
1 week ago
Senior/Principal Environmental Engineer
$180K - $240K *
Unlock your potential as a senior environmental engineer, leading multidisciplinary teams and driving client relationships while tackling complex projects. Your expertise will shape the future of envi...
Yesterday
Senior Project Environmental Scientist
$90K - $135K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Environmental Scientist, leading diverse projects across transportation, water, and power sectors. Collaborate with experts to deliver impactful environmental solutions...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Environmental Scientist
$90K - $135K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful environmental projects across diverse sectors. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to analyze data, prepare permits, and ensure compliance while managing...
3 weeks 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.