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 II, Transportation/Water Resources
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative water resource projects, including stormwater management and stream restoration, while collaborating with diverse professionals to ensure quality...
Reposted 4 days ago
Project Engineer II, Transportation/Water Resources
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to execute water resource projects, including stormwater management and erosion control, while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ensure quality and timely delivery across...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior/Principal Project Manager - Hydropower
$95K - $145K *
Transform your career by leading hydropower projects and mentoring teams. Drive technical excellence and business growth while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Join us in delivering impa...
Yesterday
Intermediate Hydrogeologist or Hydrogeological Engineer - All Canadian Locations
$90K - $115K *
Advance your career by conducting hydrogeological studies and modeling in the mining sector. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to tackle complex earth science challenges while enhancing your s...
Reposted 4 days ago
$100K - $150K *
Optimize risk management programs by coordinating insurance, claims, and loss prevention efforts. Collaborate with management to minimize losses and ensure compliance with regulations while effectivel...
3 weeks ago
Program Manager - Water Resources Engineering H&H
$110K - $130K *
Drive impactful public works projects by leading a dynamic team in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, ensuring successful project execution for local governments and stakeholders while fostering caree...
2 weeks ago
Program Manager - Water Resources Engineering H&H
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team as a Program Manager, driving successful public works projects. Collaborate with management and technical experts to enhance water resources initiatives, ensuring effective executi...
2 weeks ago
Program Manager - Water Resources Engineering H&H
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team as a Program Manager, driving successful public works projects. Collaborate with management and technical experts to enhance water resources and flood mitigation strategies, ensuri...
2 weeks ago
Program Manager - Water Resources Engineering H&H
$100K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a Program Manager, driving impactful public works projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance water resources and flood mitigation strategies, ensuring successful proj...
2 weeks ago
Principal Water Wastewater Engineer
$178K - $276K *
Transform water infrastructure by leading project delivery and client engagement. Drive innovative design management and team collaboration while mentoring professionals in a dynamic water practice fo...
Reposted yesterday
Principal Water/Wastewater Engineer
$178K - $276K *
Engage in impactful water/wastewater projects, driving client success and team management while fostering innovation and mentorship. This role demands technical expertise and strong leadership to elev...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist
$120K - $200K *
Unlock potential by leading environmental permitting and compliance for complex energy projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver strategic solutions, enhance client relationships...
1 week ago
Resident Project Representative Leader - Water / Wastewater Industry
$144K - $196K *
Transform your career by leading a dynamic construction management team, ensuring quality control, optimizing project schedules, and driving strategic recommendations across multiple projects while fo...
4 weeks ago
Wastewater Project Planning and Delivery Section Manager
$190K - $242K *
Lead a dynamic team in delivering multi-billion-dollar capital projects, ensuring strategic alignment and risk-informed execution across diverse units. Drive innovation and continuous improvement whil...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the execution of capital projects across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, and operational goals. Drive collaboration among teams to deliver projects on time...
3 weeks ago
Drinking Water Associate Process Engineer - Richmond
$82K - $138K *
Engage in innovative water treatment solutions as a mid-level engineer, applying advanced techniques to tackle complex challenges. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance water quality and...
Reposted 1 week ago
Stormwater Project Manager, PE
$140K - $185K *
Explore a leadership role managing stormwater and water resources projects, overseeing all phases from design to implementation. Utilize your expertise in hydrology, project management, and client rel...
2 weeks ago
Stormwater Project Manager, PE
$140K - $185K *
Elevate your career by leading stormwater and drainage projects, overseeing all phases from modeling to construction. Drive innovation and compliance while mentoring teams and fostering client relatio...
2 weeks ago
Project Director - Water and Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the delivery of complex municipal water and wastewater projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams through planning, design, and construction while fostering client relationships and ensuring proje...
4 days ago
Project Director - Water and Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful municipal water and wastewater projects. Utilize your expertise to guide multidisciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and drive successful outcomes whi...
5 days ago
Project Director - Water and Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful municipal water and wastewater projects. Utilize your technical expertise and project management skills to guide multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality outco...
5 days ago
Project Engineer - Industrial Water (Kansas City)
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in engineering excellence by managing multidisciplinary design efforts, facilitating project success while maintaining utmost quality and compliance. Drive collaboration among teams to...
Reposted yesterday
Water Resources Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Play a key role in delivering innovative municipal engineering projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, and ensure compliance while mentoring junior staff and fostering strong client re...
Reposted 5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative geotechnical solutions while mentoring staff and driving business development. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance client relationships and ens...
Reposted 2 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead geotechnical projects by mentoring teams, managing client relationships, and driving business development. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality engineering solutions while enhan...
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.