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 Industrial Water & Wastewater, Market Leader
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading strategic initiatives in water and wastewater engineering. Drive market growth in mining and industrial sectors while mentoring a dedicated team and managing complex pro...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Senior Project Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Project Engineer, leading heavy civil construction projects. Oversee technical coordination, project controls, and engineering activities while mentoring junior staff a...
Today
$65K - $190K *
Explore impactful opportunities as part of a dynamic team dedicated to innovating water and wastewater solutions for municipal and industrial clients across the U.S., enhancing community well-being an...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$119K - $170K *
Champion innovative water resource solutions by leading complex projects that enhance watershed health and community resilience. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver impactful hydrauli...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$119K - $170K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing watershed health through innovative water resources engineering. Lead complex projects focused on stream restoration, hydraulic design, and community resilien...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Industrial Water Engineer
$140K - $200K *
Join a team that's advancing industrial water solutions by managing complex wastewater projects, leading teams, and fostering client relationships to deliver high-quality, sustainable outcomes while m...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Industrial Water Engineer
$140K - $200K *
Play a key role in advancing industrial water solutions by designing and managing complex wastewater projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and building strong client relationships to foster growt...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Industrial Water Engineer
$140K - $200K *
Transform industrial water systems by leading complex projects, fostering client relationships, and mentoring junior engineers. Play a key role in expanding our practice while ensuring innovative and...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Industrial Water Engineer
$140K - $200K *
Pioneer innovative industrial water projects, managing diverse teams to enhance client relationships and drive practice growth while ensuring compliance and delivering high-quality outcomes...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Industrial Water Engineer
$140K - $200K *
Drive impactful industrial water projects, manage client relationships, and lead teams to deliver innovative solutions while advancing our industrial water practice and ensuring compliance with regula...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Wastewater Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of wastewater management by leading complex projects, fostering client relationships, and guiding multidisciplinary teams. This role is perfect for seasoned professionals eager to tac...
Yesterday
Senior Water Resources Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Join us in leading complex water resources and transportation projects, managing all phases from planning to construction. Provide technical direction, mentor teams, and ensure project success while f...
3 weeks ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead and mentor a team in delivering innovative water/wastewater projects, ensuring design excellence and client satisfaction while managing multiple projects across the Mid-Atlantic region...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Process Design Manager
$185K - $200K *
Lead the charge in innovative water and wastewater design, managing multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions. Provide technical leadership, mentor staff, and enhance client relationshi...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Water Resources Engineer, Land Development
$95K - $115K *
Accelerate the planning and delivery of innovative water resources engineering solutions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on municipal and urban development projects, ensuring compliance an...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater)
$88K - $142K *
Play a key role in advancing Water/Wastewater projects by leading planning, design, and execution efforts. Mentor emerging engineers while fostering client relationships and ensuring project success t...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water Engineer/Practice Leader - Virginia
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading business development and technical projects in civil and geotechnical engineering. Collaborate with senior leadership to expand market presence and mentor staff while manag...
1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in planning and executing water/wastewater projects, coordinating designs, and ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams...
Reposted today
Senior Water Resources Engineer/Project Manager
$160K - $195K *
Unlock potential by leading complex water resources projects, managing interdisciplinary teams, and delivering innovative solutions that enhance community resilience and environmental sustainability i...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Manage complex water/wastewater engineering projects, ensuring design integrity and compliance. Lead a small team, make critical decisions, and apply advanced engineering techniques to deliver effecti...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Join us to lead complex water/wastewater engineering projects, making critical design decisions and supervising a dedicated team. Your expertise will drive innovative solutions and ensure project succ...
Yesterday
$92K - $110K *
Transform water and wastewater engineering by leading projects, making critical design decisions, and supervising a skilled team to deliver innovative solutions that enhance community infrastructure a...
Yesterday
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$120K - $165K *
Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic team in water resources management. Oversee project delivery, mentor staff, and enhance design standards while fostering client relationships in a collaborat...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$120K - $165K *
Join a dynamic team to lead water resources projects, manage staff, and enhance client relationships. Utilize your expertise in stormwater drainage and mentoring to deliver high-quality solutions whil...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$120K - $165K *
Drive the future of water resources management by leading projects, mentoring staff, and optimizing processes. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality solutions while maintaining strong...
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.