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.
Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $225K *
Lead field operations to ensure timely, high-quality project delivery while fostering a culture of safety and excellence. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to manage logistics, schedules, and co...
Today
Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$95K - $115K *
Lead field operations to ensure timely, high-quality project delivery while fostering a culture of safety and excellence. Manage logistics, mentor teams, and cultivate stakeholder relationships to exc...
Today
Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$88K - $105K *
Elevate your career by leading field operations in large-scale infrastructure projects. Drive safety, quality, and efficiency while mentoring teams and managing logistics to deliver exceptional result...
Today
Superintendent (Water/Wastewater)
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading field operations to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects. Oversee compliance, safety, and logistics while mentoring teams and cultivating stakeholder relationships...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of municipal stormwater infrastructure. Lead innovative drainage projects, mentor professionals, and cultivate client relationships to drive growth in Central Tex...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager I - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of water and wastewater engineering by driving business development, managing projects, and fostering client relationships in Texas. Lead a team to achieve growth while ensuring proje...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Manager - Drainage and Stormwater
$143K - $213K *
Lead the charge in managing drainage and stormwater projects, ensuring compliance and innovative solutions while mentoring junior staff and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to meet client ob...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of our team by driving innovative projects and leading cross-functional collaboration. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategy and enhance operational efficiency across...
6 days ago
Senior Bridge Hydraulics & Water Resources Engineer (PE)
$95K - $115K *
Accelerate the future of transportation infrastructure by leading complex hydraulic analyses and mentoring engineering teams on significant bridge and roadway projects, ensuring innovative solutions a...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Environmental Practice Leader - Southern California Water Sector
$140K - $240K *
Unlock your potential in a senior environmental role, leading projects in compliance, permitting, and biological resources within Southern California's water sector, while mentoring teams and cultivat...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Highway Design Engineer
$80K - $100K *
Lead the charge in innovative highway design, collaborating with a dynamic team to deliver impactful transportation projects while enhancing your engineering expertise and problem-solving skills...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager I - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Transform the water and wastewater engineering landscape by leading business development, managing projects, and nurturing client relationships in Texas. Drive growth and profitability while mentoring...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager I - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in developing a profitable water/wastewater engineering business, focusing on client relationships, project management, and staff oversight to drive growth and success in the San Anton...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Water Resources
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing complex water resources projects, fostering client relationships, mentoring teams, and driving innovative solutions for stormwater, flood reduction, and water quality impro...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager – Water/Wastewater, Distribution/Conveyance
$85K - $100K *
Join a dynamic team to lead water/wastewater design projects, managing scope and budget while leveraging client relationships. Engage in innovative solutions for municipal and private clients, enhanci...
2 weeks ago
Senior Environmental or Civil Engineer (PE)
$110K - $128K *
Lead high-profile remediation projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful delivery across the Pacific Northwest. Drive project performance, maintain client relationships...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Construction Management Professional
$95K - $115K *
Unlock innovative construction management solutions by leading diverse environmental projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure safety, quality, and client satisfaction while driving business developm...
2 weeks ago
Consultant to Senior Consultant Hydrogeologist
$90K - $170K *
Grow your career with a mid- to senior-level hydrogeologist role, managing environmental investigations and remediation projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, oversee tasks, and deliver high-qualit...
3 weeks ago
Client Service Director - Water/Wastewater
$185K - $300K *
Lead the charge in developing client relationships and driving strategic growth for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful infrastructure solutions while overseeing...
Reposted 4 days ago
Construction Management Professional (Water/Wastewater)
$91K - $160K *
Execute construction management activities for small to medium projects, ensuring compliance with contract documents, scheduling, and risk mitigation while leading project teams and maintaining qualit...
3 weeks ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer | Billings, MT
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of civil engineering by leading complex water resource projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and deliver innovative solutions that enhance community infras...
1 week ago
$153K - $230K *
Champion innovative wastewater solutions by leading project teams, managing client relationships, and driving business development in the Pacific Northwest. Shape the future of infrastructure with you...
5 days ago
$153K - $230K *
Drive impactful wastewater solutions by leading project teams, managing client relationships, and fostering business growth in the Pacific Northwest. Leverage your expertise to innovate and enhance in...
5 days ago
Senior Engineering Project Manager - Civil/Environmental
$125K - $175K *
Collaborate with us to manage diverse civil and environmental projects, enhancing client relationships and mentoring staff while driving growth in stormwater and solid waste management initiatives...
Yesterday
Senior Engineering Project Manager - Civil/Environmental
$125K - $175K *
Join a team that's focused on managing diverse civil and environmental projects. You'll enhance client relationships, mentor staff, and provide technical expertise while driving project profitability...
3 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.