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.
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative geotechnical solutions, overseeing complex projects, and guiding a team of engineers. Collaborate with clients across diverse sectors to ensure quality, safety...
2 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading geotechnical projects, providing expert analysis and innovative solutions while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring quality and safety standards are met across diverse...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead geotechnical projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary experts to deliver innovative solutions in renewable energy and infrastructure. Drive project success while...
3 weeks ago
Construction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in overseeing water and wastewater construction projects, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery while managing safety, quality, and team coordination for successful outcomes...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Municipal Infrastructure
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative civil engineering solutions for water, sewer, and stormwater projects. Collaborate with diverse teams and clients to ensure successful project outcomes across...
4 weeks ago
$83K - $116K *
Drive planning and forecasting for water/wastewater systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness while collaborating with various stakeholders. Perform analyses and condition...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Project Engineer III, Transportation/Water Resources
$95K - $115K *
Shape innovative water resource solutions by leading complex projects, managing teams, and delivering high-quality designs in drainage, stormwater management, and stream restoration across diverse inf...
3 weeks ago
Project Engineer III, Transportation/Water Resources
$88K - $105K *
Join us to lead and deliver complex water resources projects, focusing on stormwater management, erosion control, and hydrology. Collaborate with diverse teams to innovate solutions and advance your c...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Optimize water and wastewater utility projects through effective planning, project management and asset management. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders, ensuring successful project execution and r...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Project Engineer III, Transportation/Water Resources
$95K - $115K *
Advance your career by leading complex water resources projects, managing teams, and delivering innovative solutions in drainage, hydrology, and stream restoration. Join us to make a significant impac...
3 weeks ago
Hydrogeologist - Senior Level (Hybrid)
$105K - $135K *
Join a team that's tackling complex hydrogeology projects, applying advanced expertise in groundwater evaluations, remediation, and sustainability analysis. Lead multidisciplinary teams while fosterin...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion impactful engineering solutions by leading wastewater projects. Drive design, manage budgets, and enhance client relationships while supporting business growth. Join a collaborative team dedi...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead geotechnical investigations and design activities, impacting major projects. Collaborate with teams, manage investigations, and provide technical analyses while supervising professionals. Engage...
1 week ago
Civil Project Manager/Senior Project Manager - Water & Wastewater
$90K - $140K *
Advance your career by managing diverse water and wastewater projects, fostering client relationships, and ensuring technical excellence. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver impactful solutions...
1 week ago
Civil Project Manager/Senior Project Manager - Water & Wastewater
$90K - $140K *
Lead the charge in managing diverse water and wastewater projects, ensuring client satisfaction and technical excellence while fostering strong relationships and driving project success across multipl...
2 weeks ago
Civil Project Manager/Senior Project Manager - Water & Wastewater
$90K - $140K *
Drive successful project management and client development in Water & Wastewater, ensuring technical quality, profitability, and superior client relationships while overseeing multiple projects and co...
2 weeks ago
Water Resources - Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Shape the future of watershed management by leading innovative projects, fostering collaboration, and delivering exceptional client service while mentoring a dynamic team in a growing regional practic...
Yesterday
Water Resources - Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Drive impactful watershed planning and project design, leading a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions for municipal clients while ensuring exceptional service and collaboration across the Sout...
Yesterday
$96K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative electrical engineering solutions. Lead projects from planning to post-construction, mentoring junior engineers while ensuring quality and adherenc...
3 days ago
Sr. Project Engineer-Water Group
$135K - $175K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering successful projects on time and within budget. Leverage your construction engineering expertise to track costs, manage resources, and ensure compliance, whil...
3 weeks ago
Senior Traffic Engineer / Project Manager
$125K - $165K *
Lead traffic engineering projects, enhancing mobility and safety across NYC and Long Island. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage technical tasks, and mentor junior staff to deliver high-q...
2 weeks ago
Senior Traffic Engineer / Project Manager
$125K - $165K *
Transform transportation infrastructure by leading traffic engineering projects, enhancing community connectivity through innovative design and analysis, while mentoring junior staff and collaborating...
2 weeks ago
Senior Traffic Engineer / Project Manager
$125K - $165K *
Elevate your career by leading traffic engineering projects that enhance mobility and safety across New York City and Long Island. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior staff whil...
2 weeks ago
Senior Traffic Engineer / Project Manager
$125K - $165K *
Transform transportation projects by leading traffic engineering efforts, enhancing mobility and safety through innovative design and analysis. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Champion the delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, leading multidisciplinary teams through all project phases while managing client relationships and ensuring quality outcomes acro...
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.