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.
$100K - $120K *
Transform environmental permitting by leading FERC projects, guiding teams, and fostering client relationships. Drive growth in energy infrastructure while ensuring compliance with regulations and del...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading complex FERC-regulated projects, providing strategic guidance, and fostering client relationships while mentoring teams to deliver high-quality environmental documents and...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion the growth of our ecological practice by leading FERC-regulated projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, and fostering client relationships while delivering high-quality environmental docu...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform project execution by leveraging your engineering expertise to oversee major capital construction initiatives, ensuring technical quality and compliance throughout all phases from planning to...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring the technical quality and execution of major capital construction projects, providing oversight and support throughout all phases, including planning, design...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing capital improvement projects for water and wastewater facilities. Lead project engineering efforts, ensuring successful delivery while collaborating with cross...
Yesterday
$72K - $93K *
Drive the operations and maintenance of wastewater facilities, ensuring compliance and efficiency while providing support during emergencies and routine tasks in a collaborative environment...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead complex FERC-regulated projects, providing strategic guidance and managing multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality environmental permits and documents while fostering client relationships...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Elevate municipal wastewater practices by leading strategic initiatives, managing multidisciplinary teams, and driving project success across British Columbia. Shape innovative solutions while mentori...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to design and oversee electrical systems across diverse markets. Engage in impactful projects, mentor staff, and ensure compliance while managing budgets and schedules. Your expert...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Advance your career as a Senior Electrical Engineer, leading diverse projects across multiple markets. Collaborate with teams to design innovative solutions, manage project schedules, and mentor junio...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career as a Senior Electrical Engineer, leading diverse projects across multiple markets. Collaborate with teams to design innovative solutions, manage budgets, and mentor staff while ens...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by contributing to environmental remediation projects and site investigations. Collaborate with diverse teams to evaluate technologies, compile data, and produce comprehensive reports...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Develop and oversee project plans, ensuring timely execution and budget adherence while coordinating resources and maintaining quality control throughout the project lifecycle...
2 weeks ago
Senior Structural Engineer (Hydraulic Structures)
$105K - $140K *
Grow your career with a leading firm as you manage complex hydraulic structures projects. Leverage your expertise in structural engineering while mentoring a team and delivering impactful solutions fo...
4 weeks ago
Principal, Senior Civil Engineer
$162K - $243K *
Lead the charge in urban infrastructure projects by leveraging 25+ years of experience to drive technical excellence and cultivate strategic relationships across NYC agencies, ensuring impactful trans...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform your career by leading complex wastewater projects while mentoring junior engineers and managing client relations. Drive business development and enhance AECOM's successful portfolio in the...
Reposted 4 days ago
$134K - $218K *
Lead impactful geoenvironmental projects, integrating technical expertise and business development to expand our practice and support client success through strategic consulting and project delivery a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$117K - $190K *
Unlock potential by leading complex geoenvironmental projects, mentoring staff, and driving business growth. Leverage expertise in solid waste and remediation to deliver innovative solutions while col...
Reposted 1 week ago
$129K - $209K *
Accelerate your career by leading complex geoenvironmental projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and driving business development in a dynamic consulting environment focused on sustainable waste...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate our geoenvironmental practice by leading complex projects and client engagements. Utilize your engineering expertise and business development skills to drive growth, innovate solutions, and me...
Reposted 1 week ago
$129K - $209K *
Advance the geoenvironmental practice by managing complex solid waste projects, delivering strategic technical guidance, and leading business development efforts to enhance client relationships and ma...
Reposted 1 week ago
$123K - $199K *
Elevate geoenvironmental practices by leading complex projects, driving business growth, and delivering technical expertise in solid waste management, remediation, and engineering consulting while men...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead complex geoenvironmental projects, delivering innovative solutions while mentoring staff and driving practice growth in a collaborative environment focused on sustainabilit...
Reposted 1 week ago
Project Director - Industrial Water
$125K - $150K *
Transform business development and project management strategies to enhance infrastructure solutions for municipalities and industrial clients, ensuring compliance and sustainability while leading a d...
5 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.