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.
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $160K *
Lead impactful water/wastewater projects, managing design and client relations while ensuring compliance with regulations. Drive team success and advance your career in a collaborative environment foc...
Reposted today
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$110K - $160K *
Drive impactful water and wastewater projects, managing design and client relations while ensuring compliance with regulations. Lead teams and enhance your career in a dynamic environment focused on i...
Reposted today
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of water treatment by leading projects from planning to execution. Oversee budgets, schedules, and quality for innovative facilities, ensuring reliable water supply across communities...
2 weeks ago
$71K - $118K *
Drive innovative engineering solutions for water and wastewater systems, ensuring compliance with regulations while mentoring junior staff and enhancing technical documentation for diverse projects...
1 week ago
Environmental Scientist, Planning Waters Team Lead
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to environmental excellence, providing leadership in aquatic resource assessments and regulatory permitting. Drive project success through mentoring and collaboration whil...
2 days ago
Project Engineer - Water & Wastewater
$90K - $125K *
Advance the future of water and wastewater infrastructure by leading design and project management efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize systems and ensure compliance with regu...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Manage complex structural designs for water treatment facilities, leading teams in infrastructure projects, while ensuring compliance with engineering standards and quality control for critical commun...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Environmental Engineer / Soil Management Specialist
$130K - $185K *
Elevate your career by leading soil management efforts on major infrastructure projects. Utilize your expertise with environmental regulations while guiding teams and interfacing with clients to deliv...
Reposted 1 week ago
Water Resources Engineer - Mid Level (Hybrid)
$90K - $105K *
Drive impactful water resources solutions by leveraging hydrologic and hydraulic analysis expertise. Collaborate on stormwater planning, flood control, and water quality projects while preparing techn...
2 weeks ago
Intermediate / Senior Project Engineer - Hydro
$140K - $190K *
Lead the charge in multidisciplinary engineering for hydropower and water resources projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure successful project delivery from planning through construction, enhancing...
5 days ago
Intermediate / Senior Project Engineer - Hydro
$140K - $190K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts for hydropower and water resources projects. Drive technical deliverables, coordinate with stakeholders, and enhance project outco...
5 days ago
Intermediate / Senior Project Engineer - Hydro
$140K - $190K *
Champion multidisciplinary engineering excellence in hydropower and water resources projects, driving technical deliverables and quality processes from planning through construction across North Ameri...
5 days ago
Intermediate / Senior Project Engineer - Hydro
$140K - $190K *
Lead the charge in multidisciplinary engineering for hydropower and water resources projects, coordinating activities from planning through construction. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality deliv...
5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of geotechnical engineering by leading innovative projects in landfill and water containment systems while mentoring talent and driving business development...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Innovate hydraulic systems by designing, testing, and optimizing components. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and ensure compliance with industry standards while mentorin...
3 weeks ago
$105K - $130K *
Empower your career by leading hydrogeology and environmental projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex groundwater challenges, ensuring technical excellence and client sati...
4 weeks ago
$105K - $130K *
Lead the charge in advancing hydrogeology projects, utilizing your expertise in groundwater management, field investigations, and modeling to deliver impactful solutions across mining and environmenta...
4 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water / Wastewater Pump Stations and Pipelines
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water infrastructure by managing projects through planning, design, and construction phases, focusing on pump stations and pipelines to enhance community resou...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Transmission and Utilities Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Transform the future of water and wastewater projects by managing all phases from design to construction. Lead a team of engineers, ensuring quality and client satisfaction while overseeing critical i...
3 weeks ago
Engineer Director of Wastewater Policy
$157K - $208K *
Transform wastewater management by leading strategic policy initiatives, overseeing asset management, and fostering stakeholder engagement to enhance Denver's infrastructure and sustainability efforts...
5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive innovative remediation projects by managing assessments, designs, and client relationships. Lead teams, mentor junior staff, and ensure project success while expanding business opportunities in...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Empower your career by leveraging your engineering expertise in water/wastewater systems. Collaborate with clients and project teams to deliver innovative solutions across planning, design, and operat...
6 days ago
Senior Environmental Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Transform environmental projects by leading diverse teams to tackle reclamation, remediation, and sustainability challenges. Engage with clients and stakeholders to achieve regulatory compliance and d...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Chief Engineering and Science Officer
$186K - $279K *
Lead the charge in strategic oversight of engineering and environmental services, guiding critical infrastructure investments and compliance strategies to ensure sustainable growth and operational exc...
2 weeks ago
$103K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance water filtration technology. Leverage your engineering expertise to support production, drive process improvements, and mentor engineers in a fast-paced manufacturing en...
6 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.