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.
Project Engineer - Dams, Hydraulics & Water Resources
$95K - $150K *
Unlock your potential by joining a dynamic team to design and manage innovative water resource projects, ensuring safety and sustainability across diverse environments while collaborating with multidi...
3 days ago
Project Engineer - Dams, Hydraulics & Water Resources
$95K - $150K *
Lead the charge in innovative dam safety and water resource projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful solutions for federal, state, and private clients across North Ame...
3 days ago
Project Engineer - Dams, Hydraulics & Water Resources
$95K - $150K *
Lead multidisciplinary teams in planning, design, and construction of dam safety and water resource projects. Contribute to high-profile initiatives across North America, ensuring compliance and innov...
3 days ago
Project Engineer - Dams, Hydraulics & Water Resources
$95K - $150K *
Empower our team by delivering innovative engineering solutions for dam safety, hydraulic structures, and water resource projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance infrastructure ac...
3 days ago
$75K - $95K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team to support design and project execution in mechanical engineering, ensuring quality workflows in the water services industry through innovative collaboration...
Reposted today
Senior Water Resources Engineer Group Leader
$135K - $198K *
Lead and mentor a team of engineers to deliver innovative flood control and drainage solutions. Manage large-scale projects, ensuring quality and efficiency while collaborating with clients and stakeh...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Scientist
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's tackling complex environmental challenges through innovative investigations and remediation strategies, ensuring compliance and client satisfaction while leading high-impact project...
2 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Engineer or Scientist
$100K - $120K *
Drive impactful environmental solutions by leading complex investigations and remediation projects. Collaborate with a high-performing team to ensure client satisfaction while navigating regulatory la...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Hydraulic Modeling Specialist
$110K - $130K *
Drive impactful civil engineering projects, collaborating with public agencies to enhance community infrastructure. Lead design and construction efforts while ensuring compliance and fostering strong...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform water and wastewater design projects from concept to completion. Lead a dynamic team in creating innovative solutions that enhance community infrastructure while ensuring compliance and qual...
2 weeks ago
$124K - $150K *
Manage diverse civil engineering projects, ensuring client satisfaction and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring staff and ov...
2 weeks ago
Senior Civil Engineer SME - Gateway - Water, Sewer, Gas
$175K - $240K *
Shape the future of infrastructure by leading utility systems for a transformative rail project. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance mobility and resiliency while ensuring the successf...
6 days ago
Senior / Principal Engineer - Municipal Services City Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Elevate community infrastructure by leading impactful civil engineering projects. Collaborate with public agencies to guide capital improvements, ensuring compliance and fostering strong relationships...
4 weeks ago
Senior / Principal Engineer - Municipal Services City Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to lead impactful civil engineering projects, guiding capital improvements from design to construction while collaborating with public agencies and enhancing community infrastructure...
4 weeks ago
Senior Residential Civil Engineer - Land Development (PE, 10+ Years' Experience)
$100K - $120K *
Drive impactful land development projects by providing technical guidance, mentoring engineers, and enhancing design processes. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality standards and foster continuous...
2 weeks ago
Preconstruction Manager - Water & Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in preconstruction activities for large water projects, overseeing budgeting, scheduling, and subcontractor management. Collaborate with teams to ensure successful project execution an...
3 weeks ago
Preconstruction Manager - Water & Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in preconstruction activities for large water projects, overseeing budgeting, scheduling, and subcontractor management while ensuring compliance and fostering team collaboration for su...
3 weeks ago
Preconstruction Manager - Water & Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Drive preconstruction excellence for large water projects, overseeing budgeting, scheduling, and subcontractor management. Collaborate with teams to ensure successful project execution and deliver hig...
3 weeks ago
Preconstruction Manager - Water & Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Optimize preconstruction activities for large water projects, leading teams in budgeting, estimating, and subcontractor management. Drive collaboration with design teams and ensure compliance with pro...
3 weeks ago
Senior Civil Engineer - Municipal Engineering
$112K - $154K *
Shape the future of municipal infrastructure by leading impactful projects that enhance community living. Provide technical leadership, mentor teams, and collaborate on innovative solutions to improve...
1 week ago
Senior Civil Engineer - Municipal Engineering
$112K - $154K *
Join us to lead impactful municipal infrastructure projects, enhancing community resilience through innovative design and strategic guidance. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while mentoring j...
1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Practice Leader
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in advancing innovative wastewater solutions, overseeing design and permitting for diverse projects. Collaborate with industry leaders to grow a high-performing team while integrating...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Waterfront Engineer/Diver
$90K - $150K *
Manage waterfront engineering projects, lead dive teams, and develop client relationships. Oversee inspections, construction monitoring, and design for coastal resiliency initiatives. Cultivate junior...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Waterfront Engineer/Diver
$90K - $150K *
The Senior Waterfront Engineer/Diver will lead inspection, design, and development of various coastal and waterfront projects, including shoreline protection and aquatic habitat restorations. This rol...
Reposted 1 week ago
Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $225K *
Join us to lead field operations in delivering exceptional infrastructure projects. You'll oversee compliance, safety, and quality while mentoring teams and managing logistics to ensure timely project...
Today
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.