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 Environmental Engineer - Water Group
$120K - $211K *
Champion innovative water treatment solutions by leading design teams and ensuring compliance with regulations. Engage with clients and mentor junior staff while delivering complex projects that enhan...
3 weeks ago
Transportation Hydraulics Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative hydraulic engineering projects, from urban highways to stormwater management. Collaborate with clients and guide junior engineers while ensuring high-quality...
6 days ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$134K - $172K *
Lead and manage diverse water/wastewater projects for public utilities, ensuring effective planning, design, and construction phases while fostering client relationships and mentoring junior staff to...
2 weeks ago
Practice Leader - Water/Wastewater
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in overseeing Water/Wastewater projects, providing technical expertise, and guiding project teams. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery and m...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Civil/Municipal Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Engage in managing municipal civil infrastructure projects, serving as the primary client liaison. Leverage technical expertise to enhance client relationships and drive business development across No...
2 weeks ago
$147K - $170K *
Lead transformative engineering initiatives by overseeing multi-disciplinary teams, establishing standards, and ensuring technical excellence in water supply infrastructure management while engaging w...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career as you manage geotechnical projects, from site investigation to design and reporting. Collaborate with senior engineers while gaining hands-on experience in seismic assessments, la...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Support geotechnical projects, driving analysis and design for diverse infrastructure. Collaborate with senior engineers, manage scopes of work, and contribute to seismic assessments while mentoring j...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by supporting geotechnical projects, from site investigation to design and reporting. Collaborate with senior engineers on diverse projects, including seismic assessments, dams, an...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive geotechnical projects from inception to completion, focusing on seismic assessments, land development, and infrastructure. Collaborate with senior engineers to enhance your skills and lead proje...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer (10+ years)
$110K - $130K *
Advance our electrical engineering practice by leading complex projects, mentoring engineers, and enhancing capabilities across various sectors. Drive innovation and quality while fostering client rel...
5 days ago
Senior Electrical Engineer (10+ years)
$110K - $130K *
Seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to lead complex projects, mentor teams, and enhance our electrical capabilities across various sectors, ensuring compliance and quality in design and delivery whil...
5 days ago
Senior Electrical Engineer (10+ years)
$95K - $115K *
Bring your expertise to lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering innovative electrical engineering solutions. Shape client relationships, mentor future engineers, and influence office culture while...
6 days ago
Staff Mechanical Engineer - Water - Solids Handling Systems
$95K - $115K *
Empower the design of solids-handling systems for water treatment facilities. Collaborate with diverse teams, enhance technical skills, and lead projects while ensuring compliance with industry standa...
1 week ago
Environmental Engineer/Project Manager
$70K - $110K *
Champion environmental solutions by managing remediation projects from planning to execution. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance and client satisfaction while making a positive impact...
1 week ago
Senior Instrumentation Technician
$79K - $130K *
Transform operations by leading skilled technicians in the installation, maintenance, and repair of advanced instrumentation and control systems, ensuring optimal performance in water treatment facili...
1 week ago
Senior Chemical Process Engineer
$110K - $150K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative lithium recovery and water treatment systems. Collaborate with diverse teams and engage with clients to tackle environmental challenges through strategic proces...
1 week ago
$101K - $168K *
Lead and manage complex civil engineering projects, providing technical expertise and mentorship. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions in site development, stormwat...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Join a team that's delivering innovative civil and environmental projects. Lead multidisciplinary efforts, mentor engineers, and drive technical excellence from planning through construction in a hybr...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Lead complex civil engineering projects, providing technical expertise and mentorship. Drive multidisciplinary collaboration from planning to construction, ensuring compliance and quality in site deve...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Lead the charge in delivering complex civil and environmental projects, providing technical leadership and mentoring while overseeing design, permitting, and construction support across a diverse port...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Engage in delivering complex civil and environmental projects, providing technical leadership and mentoring. Collaborate across disciplines to guide projects from planning through construction, ensuri...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Champion complex civil and environmental projects, providing technical leadership and mentoring while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions from planning through c...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Unlock potential by leading complex civil engineering projects across North America. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and deliver innovative solutions from planning t...
3 weeks ago
$101K - $168K *
Empower your career by leading complex civil engineering projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions in site development, stormwater management, and environmenta...
3 weeks 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.