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.
$110K - $130K *
Elevate mining operations by designing innovative electrical systems. Utilize your expertise in electrical engineering to enhance safety and performance. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to de...
Reposted 1 week ago
$104K - $143K *
Elevate electrical design by leading innovative solutions for diverse projects. Utilize your expertise to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring code compliance and delivering high-quality...
1 week ago
$85K - $102K *
Lead the charge in innovative water resources projects, focusing on stormwater management and hydraulic evaluations. Collaborate with clients and regulatory agencies while mentoring junior engineers t...
2 weeks ago
$89K - $137K *
Execute design and oversight of municipal water and wastewater projects, ensuring compliance and effective project coordination for engineering initiatives while supporting a dynamic, collaborative te...
Reposted 1 week ago
$94K - $137K *
Unlock your potential as a Process Engineer, designing innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions while collaborating with diverse teams, managing project timelines, and ensuring compliance w...
Reposted 1 week ago
$89K - $129K *
Take ownership of designing municipal and industrial water treatment systems. Collaborate with project teams, prepare engineering specifications, and ensure compliance on-site while leading complex en...
Reposted 1 week ago
$89K - $129K *
Elevate your career by designing innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions while ensuring the highest standards in project delivery and sustainability across diverse municipalities and indus...
Reposted 1 week ago
$89K - $129K *
Optimize water infrastructure projects by designing and managing treatment facilities, ensuring project compliance, and collaborating with teams. Leverage your experience to enhance municipal and indu...
Reposted 1 week ago
$89K - $129K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focusing on the design and implementation of water and wastewater treatment systems. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality engineering...
Reposted 1 week ago
Assistant Director of Water and Wastewater Utilities Department
$123K - $154K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing water and wastewater utilities through effective management, engineering, and operational oversight, ensuring compliance and efficiency across multiple divisi...
Today
$92K - $110K *
Shape the future of urban roadway design by leading complex projects, ensuring quality assurance, and mentoring a skilled team. Engage with clients and manage project scopes while leveraging your expe...
1 week ago
Senior Professional, Mechanical Engineering
$100K - $166K *
Elevate the design and delivery of complex mechanical systems for advanced facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to lead innovative projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure technic...
3 weeks ago
Account Leader (Water/Wastewater)
$120K - $160K *
Partner with us to drive growth in water and waste management sectors, fostering client relationships and leading project execution across multiple counties while ensuring strategic market initiatives...
2 weeks ago
Account Leader (Water/Wastewater)
$120K - $160K *
Champion the growth of water and waste management services in West Florida. Collaborate with leaders and clients to drive project success, enhance client relationships, and support strategic initiativ...
2 weeks ago
Staff Project Controls Specialist - Water
$115K - $155K *
Take ownership of project controls processes, ensuring effective scheduling, cost management, and reporting for multiple projects. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and within budget...
6 days ago
Staff Project Controls Specialist - Water
$115K - $155K *
Champion project success by leading controls processes, ensuring deliverables meet budget and schedule. Collaborate with teams to analyze data, develop reports, and maintain effective project manageme...
6 days ago
Supervising Engineer (Wastewater Operations)
$117K - $132K *
Elevate your career by managing wastewater collection systems and preventive maintenance programs. Collaborate with teams to enhance workflows, implement new technologies, and ensure compliance with r...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team to lead civil engineering projects across the GTA. Collaborate with municipalities and mentor junior engineers while ensuring technical excellence and project delivery from concept...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead civil engineering projects across the GTA, ensuring technical excellence and client engagement while mentoring junior engineers and managing project delivery from concept to completion...
1 week ago
Utilities Infrastructure Project Manager (Wastewater)
$80K - $95K *
Manage wastewater infrastructure projects from scope definition to closeout, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery. Collaborate with engineers and contractors while maintaining regulatory comp...
Yesterday
Senior Water Resources Project Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join our team to lead advanced water resources design for infrastructure projects. You'll manage multiple tasks, mentor engineers, and support green stormwater initiatives while ensuring quality and c...
1 week ago
Drainage/Stormwater Quality Engineer III
$100K - $125K *
Grow your career with us by applying your engineering expertise to complex drainage and stormwater projects. Collaborate with teams to design, evaluate, and implement innovative solutions while ensuri...
4 weeks ago
Client Account Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving business growth and strategic account management across public agencies and utilities. Leverage your expertise to enhance client relationships and deliver integrated solutio...
Reposted 1 week ago
$130K *
Manage complex engineering design for cathodic protection projects, ensuring effective resource utilization and technical supervision. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality solutions while me...
Today
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) - Project Designer- Water Resources or Municipal
$72K - $90K *
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and manage diverse water resources and municipal projects, enhancing community infrastructure through innovative engineering solutions and client eng...
Reposted yesterday
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.