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 Geologist
$102K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering expert geologic consulting for diverse environmental projects. Oversee investigations, analyze data, and ensure compliance with regulations while mentoring junior staff a...
2 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Geologist
$102K - $130K *
Explore opportunities to lead complex environmental projects, ensuring compliance with regulations while providing geologic consulting services. Collaborate with teams to analyze data, develop strateg...
2 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Geologist
$102K - $130K *
Engage in complex environmental projects by providing geologic consulting, leading investigations, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate with teams to analyze data, develop remediation...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Consultant, Geotechnical Engineer - Dams
$110K - $130K *
Advance your career by providing technical leadership in geotechnical and dam engineering. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions for complex projects, while mentorin...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, leading innovative projects and fostering client relationships while driving business growth in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager-Natural Resources
$95K - $115K *
Lead diverse natural resource projects, ensuring compliance, safety, and timely delivery while mentoring teams and fostering client relationships across the Carolinas and Virginia...
2 days ago
Hydropower Engineering Manager (Electrical Design)
$120K - $145K *
Drive growth and technical excellence by leading our hydropower electrical team, overseeing project management, fostering career development, and ensuring high-quality delivery across diverse projects...
Reposted 1 week ago
Assistant Water/Wastewater Department Manager
$125K - $196K *
Unlock potential by leading business development and operational oversight in water and wastewater engineering. Manage diverse projects while fostering client relationships and mentoring staff to driv...
1 week ago
Assistant Water/Wastewater Department Manager
$125K - $196K *
Take ownership of diverse municipal projects in water and wastewater engineering. Lead business development and client management efforts while optimizing operational performance and mentoring staff i...
1 week ago
Assistant Water/Wastewater Department Manager
$125K - $196K *
Drive growth in water and wastewater engineering by leading business development, managing client relationships, and overseeing operational performance in a hybrid role focused on Southern California...
1 week ago
Senior Bid Manager - Ultrapure Water & Microelectronics
$99K - $139K *
Drive impactful solutions in industrial water treatment by leading a bid team through the proposal process, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and fostering collaboration across functions to deli...
1 week ago
Senior Bid Manager - Ultrapure Water & Microelectronics
$99K - $139K *
Drive proposal development for industrial water treatment projects, leading cross-functional teams to create competitive solutions. Engage throughout the sales cycle, ensuring alignment with strategic...
1 week ago
$96K - $144K *
Take ownership of complex geotechnical projects, leveraging your expertise and leadership to exceed client expectations while developing client relationships and driving business growth...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$108K - $162K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of geotechnical engineering by managing complex projects, fostering client relationships, and leading a talented team to deliver innovative solutions that exceed...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive waterfront project success by managing all phases from design to execution. Leverage your civil engineering expertise to ensure quality, compliance, and client satisfaction while mentoring junio...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive waterfront engineering projects from inception to completion, leveraging your expertise in civil engineering and coastal environments. Lead teams, ensure quality, and foster client relationships...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Manage waterfront engineering projects from inception to completion, ensuring quality and compliance. Lead teams, develop client relationships, and oversee project execution while mentoring junior eng...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Retail & Commercial Civil Engineer - Land Development (PE, 10+ Years' Experience)
$110K - $130K *
Help shape impactful projects by mentoring engineers and enhancing design processes. Leverage your 10+ years of civil engineering expertise to provide technical guidance, improve workflows, and foster...
2 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Engineer 1
$100K - $118K *
Optimize environmental solutions by supporting remediation projects, preparing technical reports, and collaborating with diverse teams to ensure compliance with regulations and project objectives in a...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Lead the design and assessment of hydraulic structures, collaborating with teams to deliver innovative solutions for dam safety and hydropower projects while managing technical oversight and ensuring...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the engineering design of hydraulic structures, oversee project management, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on hydropower and dam safety projects while ensuring compliance with regul...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Help us drive engineering excellence by leading complex infrastructure projects, ensuring high-security standards and seamless collaboration among multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission-critical s...
3 days ago
Civil Project Engineer - Municipal Services
$86K - $101K *
Advance your career by delivering innovative water resource solutions. Collaborate with municipal clients on diverse projects that enhance community infrastructure while promoting professional growth...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Municipal Infrastructure Engineer/Project Manager
$125K - $175K *
Drive impactful municipal engineering projects, providing leadership and technical expertise in water and wastewater infrastructure design and construction. Collaborate across teams to ensure quality...
1 week ago
Senior Municipal Infrastructure Engineer/Project Manager
$125K - $175K *
Lead the charge in municipal infrastructure projects, providing technical expertise and strategic guidance on water and wastewater systems while fostering client relationships and managing multidiscip...
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.