Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer Jobs

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.

What Senior Water/Wastewater Engineers Do

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Career Paths and Work Settings

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.

Find Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$95K - $115K *

Champion innovative geotechnical solutions by leading complex projects, conducting field investigations, and providing expert analysis. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance and drive pr...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $125K *

Engage your expertise to lead groundwater and water resources projects, focusing on SGMA planning, watershed resilience, and sustainable solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive im...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$96K - $120K *

Elevate sustainable engineering solutions by leading environmental projects, managing technical and financial aspects, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to drive impactful change for clie...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$96K - $120K *

Champion innovative environmental engineering solutions, managing complex projects and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to drive sustainable change for clients and communities...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$96K - $120K *

Shape the future of environmental engineering by leading innovative site solutions for diverse clients. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to manage complex projects, ensuring sustainable practi...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$96K - $120K *

Drive innovative environmental solutions as a Senior Lead Consultant, collaborating with a diverse team to manage complex projects and enhance sustainability efforts for an international client base...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$96K - $120K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative environmental engineering solutions, managing complex projects, and mentoring early-career engineers while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and pr...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$96K - $120K *

Drive sustainable solutions as a Senior Lead Consultant in Environmental Engineering, collaborating with a diverse team to manage complex projects and deliver innovative remediation strategies for an...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$98K - $163K *

Drive innovative structural solutions for complex industrial and nuclear projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance facility design and safety, while supporting critical infrastruct...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $120K *

Support diverse environmental projects by coordinating investigations and remediation efforts. Collaborate with teams to tackle complex challenges while enhancing your project management skills and te...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$90K - $120K *

Drive impactful environmental projects by managing site investigations and remediation efforts. Collaborate with clients and teams to deliver solutions that meet regulatory standards while ensuring pr...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Transform the future of energy infrastructure by leading environmental permitting and compliance for critical projects. Collaborate with agencies and teams to ensure regulatory adherence while driving...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing groundwater science through hands-on fieldwork and technical expertise. Collaborate on diverse projects across the western US, enhancing your skills while ens...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $140K *

Optimize water resource projects through collaboration with civil engineers and planners. Lead modeling studies, prepare essential documents, and support funding opportunities, ensuring effective comm...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $210K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of railroad construction by overseeing projects, ensuring compliance, and coordinating with stakeholders. This role demands extensive travel and offers the chance...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$107K - $189K *

Lead transformative water and wastewater projects while managing client relationships, mentoring teams, and guiding technical solutions for sustainable community development in the Mid-Atlantic region...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Optimize hydraulic and hydrology design and analysis for diverse projects. Lead a team while managing multiple tasks and budgets. Engage in client relations to foster growth within Florida's competiti...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $210K *

Unlock your potential as you lead critical water and wastewater projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while fostering strong client relationships and guiding project teams to success...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Champion innovative civil engineering design across diverse projects, from site development to infrastructure. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage permitting processes, and mentor junior...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$88K - $141K *

Empower your career by designing innovative plumbing systems for healthcare facilities. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality projects that enhance patient care and meet cr...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of transportation by leading complex highway engineering projects. Collaborate with teams and clients, ensure quality, manage budgets, and mentor staff while navigating design standar...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in managing multidisciplinary highway projects, ensuring on-time and budget-compliant delivery while mentoring staff and enhancing quality management practices across multiple state ag...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of healthcare engineering by leading mechanical HVAC design, ensuring project quality, and mentoring a talented team while managing budgets and timelines for diverse MEP projects...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$90K - $120K *

Unlock potential by delivering expert hydraulic engineering solutions for pipeline and facility projects. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to conduct steady state and transient analyses, ensu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $120K *

Lead the charge in hydraulic engineering for pipeline and facility projects. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to conduct steady state and transient analyses, ensuring optimal design and perf...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a senior water/wastewater engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.