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.
$115K - $125K *
Take ownership of diverse water and wastewater projects, overseeing all phases from planning to execution. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure projects meet scope, quality, and budget constraints...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join our team to design and oversee innovative water resource management projects. Utilize your analytical skills and expertise to ensure compliance with environmental regulations while collaborating...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Regional Director Water Resources
$140K - $175K *
Advance your career by overseeing diverse water resource projects, managing budgets, and ensuring timely execution. Collaborate with clients and lead technical teams to achieve project goals while fos...
1 week ago
$100K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading innovative hydrogeology projects in the Pacific Northwest. Embrace a hybrid work model while driving impactful solutions and mentoring junior staff in a dynamic, colla...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Deliver expert leadership in metallurgy and materials engineering across complex projects. Provide strategic guidance, ensure technical excellence, and mentor multidisciplinary teams in energy transit...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to lead impactful civil engineering projects that enhance communities and protect the environment. You'll mentor junior staff, manage diverse projects, and collaborate with multidisciplinary t...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer/Project Manager
$95K - $115K *
Empower the development of innovative transportation infrastructure projects by managing client coordination, overseeing design and engineering processes, and ensuring project scope, schedule, and bud...
Reposted 6 days ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$150K - $225K *
Transform your career by leading multi-discipline water/wastewater projects. Drive growth, mentor teams, and build client relationships while enjoying autonomy and the potential for ownership in a thr...
1 week ago
Senior Transportation Hydraulics Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Drive your career as a Senior Hydraulics Engineer, leading multidisciplinary teams in strategic project delivery, quality oversight, and staff development while managing complex infrastructure initiat...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Optimize engineering processes by ensuring compliance with SCADA standards, leading project development, and providing technical support for reliable operations across capital projects in electrical a...
Today
Water/Wastewater Master Planning Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of water and wastewater planning by leading project teams, enhancing client relationships, and driving operational excellence in a dynamic environment focused on growth and innovation...
1 week ago
Team Lead Water Resources Engineer
$130K - $160K *
Lead a dynamic team in water resources engineering, managing complex drainage and hydrologic design projects while mentoring engineers and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Drive pro...
3 weeks ago
Civil/Water Resources/Stormwater Engineer
$102K - $140K *
Shape the future of water resources by managing stormwater projects, applying innovative design solutions, and collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance local waterways while ensuring compliance wi...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Engineer - Land Development
$112K - $154K *
Lead the charge in transformative land development projects, combining technical expertise and project leadership to deliver innovative solutions that shape communities and mentor future industry lead...
4 weeks ago
Senior Geotechnical Field Engineer
$106K - $159K *
Elevate your career by delivering geotechnical engineering support for large-scale infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with design intent and mentor...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform your career by leading diverse civil engineering projects, ensuring compliance with codes, mentoring staff, and engaging with clients. Join a dynamic team focused on public infrastructure an...
2 weeks ago
$92K - $110K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of civil engineering through innovative design and technical leadership. Leverage your expertise in municipal infrastructure to drive projects from concept to com...
3 weeks ago
Lead Process Engineer - Water Market
$140K - $190K *
Transform water and wastewater treatment projects by leading design integration and execution. Leverage your expertise to guide process selection, develop design packages, and collaborate with multidi...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of structural engineering by leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring design excellence while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver innovative, sustainable sol...
1 week ago
$85K - $102K *
Lead innovative structural engineering projects, balancing creativity and efficiency. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safety, performance, and sustainability while delivering high-q...
2 weeks ago
Water/Waste Water Strategic Account Executive
$133K - $200K *
Drive growth by developing strategic account plans and leading consultative sales engagements. Build strong customer relationships and manage the sales cycle to deliver tailored solutions that enhance...
6 days ago
Water/Waste Water Strategic Account Executive
$133K - $200K *
Transform customer engagement by developing strategic growth plans and leading consultative sales processes. Drive measurable value through deep relationships and effective account management, ensurin...
6 days ago
Water/Waste Water Strategic Account Executive
$133K - $200K *
Lead strategic growth initiatives by developing account strategies and managing consultative sales processes. Build strong customer relationships and drive solutions that enhance efficiency and sustai...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead and grow a regional water practice, driving strategic initiatives and delivering complex municipal projects while mentoring talent and enhancing client relationships across...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water Resources
$80K - $95K *
Optimize project delivery by managing scope, schedule, and budget while ensuring client satisfaction. Collaborate with stakeholders to lead teams, mitigate risks, and maintain quality control througho...
1 month 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.