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.
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) - Project Designer- Water Resources or Municipal
$72K - $90K *
Optimize project design by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on water resources and municipal projects, ensuring effective planning, execution, and client engagement throughout the project li...
Reposted 5 days ago
Civil / Environmental Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by managing diverse civil and environmental projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions in remediation and waste management while mentoring junior sta...
Today
$121K - $185K *
Unlock potential by providing senior technical leadership on federal projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to tackle complex engineering challenges, ensuring quality and alignment with client needs...
6 days ago
$121K - $185K *
Join a team that's redefining structural engineering for federal projects. Leverage your expertise to lead technical initiatives, guide teams, and ensure quality standards while driving innovation and...
6 days ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative solutions as a Process Engineer, leveraging your expertise in ultrapure water treatment to enhance system design and integration for the microelectronics industry, while collaborating...
1 week ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative ultrapure water treatment solutions as a key technical leader, collaborating with customers to optimize system design and operation while ensuring compliance with industry standards a...
1 week ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining ultrapure water treatment solutions. As a key technical leader, you'll leverage your expertise to design and optimize systems for the microelectronics industry, ensuring...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the development and support of electronic products, focusing on PCB design, embedded systems, and hardware verification. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges and me...
1 week ago
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) - Project Designer-Water Resources or Municipal
$72K - $90K *
Engage in multidisciplinary design for water resources and municipal projects. Utilize civil engineering skills to coordinate with teams, clients, and agencies while contributing to project planning...
Reposted 5 days ago
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) - Project Designer-Water Resources or Municipal
$72K - $90K *
Elevate your career by applying civil engineering expertise in diverse water resources and municipal projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, plan, and execute impactful solutions...
Reposted 5 days ago
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) - Project Designer-Water Resources or Municipal
$72K - $90K *
Empower your career by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on diverse water resources and municipal projects, enhancing community infrastructure through innovative design and engineering soluti...
Reposted 5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive environmental solutions by applying scientific principles to analyze data, prepare reports, and ensure compliance with regulations. Collaborate with project teams to execute fieldwork and suppor...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of environmental engineering by tackling federal projects, conducting analyses, and developing solutions to enhance compliance and restore natural systems. Collaborate with teams on d...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Registered Engineer-Structural-Hydropower/Hydraulic Structures
$110K - $130K *
Lead structural design for hydropower projects, overseeing analysis, inspections, and evaluations while guiding teams and ensuring compliance with engineering standards and practices...
Reposted 3 days ago
Environmental Manager, Kiewit Infrastructure Engineers
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading complex environmental projects in infrastructure. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure compliance with regulations while mentoring junior staff and deliverin...
1 week ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Make your mark at the forefront of ultrapure water treatment solutions. As a key technical leader, you'll drive system integration and optimize processes for the microelectronics industry, ensuring pr...
Reposted 1 week ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$108K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining ultrapure water solutions. As a key technical leader, you'll drive innovative designs and optimize systems for the microelectronics industry, ensuring project success thr...
Reposted 1 week ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative ultrapure water treatment solutions. As a key technical partner, you'll leverage your expertise to optimize system designs, ensuring compliance and efficiency...
Reposted 1 week ago
Microelectronics Ultrapure Water (UPW) Senior Process Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as a Process Engineer, leveraging your expertise to design and optimize ultrapure water treatment systems for the microelectronics industry, ensuring project success through innova...
1 week ago
$170K - $190K *
Lead complex civil engineering projects, providing technical expertise and mentorship while ensuring compliance and delivering high-quality solutions for industrial and energy clients. Collaborate wit...
6 days ago
Senior Plumbing Engineering Designer
$118K - $147K *
Lead innovative plumbing design projects, ensuring compliance with codes and standards while mentoring a talented team. Drive quality deliverables across diverse sectors by integrating sustainable pra...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Discipline Leader: Wastewater Collection & Treatment Group Lead
$110K - $130K *
Champion wastewater treatment excellence by leading teams, enhancing client relationships, and driving project success. Shape the future of infrastructure through strategic oversight and mentorship, e...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Discipline Leader: Wastewater Collection & Treatment Group Lead
$100K - $120K *
Drive wastewater treatment excellence by leading teams, mentoring engineers, and managing complex projects. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to enhance operational performance and foster grow...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Discipline Leader: Wastewater Collection & Treatment Group Lead
$100K - $120K *
Lead and optimize wastewater treatment teams, driving project success and client relationships while mentoring engineers and enhancing operational performance across multiple locations...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Discipline Leader: Wastewater Collection & Treatment Group Lead
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of wastewater treatment by leading teams, mentoring engineers, and driving project success while fostering strong client relationships and operational excellence across diverse infras...
Reposted 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.