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.
Principal Electrochemical Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the design and scaling of innovative electrochemical reactors, driving advancements in water treatment technology from concept to commercial deployment while collaborating...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Drive impactful transportation solutions by leading diverse traffic engineering projects, mentoring team members, and collaborating with clients and agencies to enhance safety and efficiency in munici...
2 weeks ago
Water Resources Consultant (Hybrid/Remote)
$110K - $140K *
Lead the charge in innovative water management solutions by leveraging GoldSim modeling expertise. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex environmental challenges and enhance proje...
5 days ago
Civil / Environmental Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive the planning and design of municipal water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver critical infrastructure solutions across North America, enhancing communit...
1 week ago
$100K - $135K *
Shape innovative water resource solutions by leading complex projects, managing teams, and conducting advanced analyses for municipal clients. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance project outcome...
1 week ago
$85K - $135K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative water resource solutions, managing complex projects, and guiding junior engineers. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance municipal infrastructure...
1 week ago
$100K - $135K *
Drive innovative water resource solutions by managing complex projects, supervising teams, and conducting advanced analyses to support municipal clients and enhance community infrastructure...
1 week ago
$100K - $135K *
Join our team to lead complex water resource projects, providing engineering expertise and project management while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions for munic...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion your career by leading engineering services for municipal utility districts. Oversee critical infrastructure projects, manage client relationships, and provide strategic guidance to enhance c...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of municipal infrastructure by leading engineering services for utility districts. Collaborate with stakeholders, manage projects, and provide strategic guidance to enhance community...
1 week ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$135K - $190K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of hydropower by leading complex projects, providing technical expertise, and mentoring engineers. Drive innovation in hydromechanical systems while ensuring qual...
Today
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$135K - $190K *
Lead the design and assessment of hydromechanical systems for hydropower projects. Provide technical expertise, manage multidisciplinary teams, and ensure engineering excellence while mentoring junior...
Today
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in managing traffic engineering projects, from proposal to delivery. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders, mentor staff, and drive strategic growth initiatives across Alabama's tr...
Today
Field Technical Service Engineer
$80K - $110K *
Lead the charge in maintaining and expanding customer accounts while resolving technical challenges in water treatment. Utilize your expertise to support operations, optimize membrane performance, and...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Hydropower
$130K - $180K *
Lead innovative geotechnical engineering projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver solutions for transportation, hydroelectric, and civil infrastructure. Drive design, analysis...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage in diverse engineering projects, providing analysis, design, and consulting services. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance, manage budgets, and resolve challenges while delivering qualit...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative engineering solutions across diverse sectors. Provide consulting services, manage projects, and ensure compliance while collaborating with clients...
2 weeks ago
Senior Transportation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive impactful roadway design projects by leveraging your expertise in urban and rural engineering. Lead teams in quality assurance, client communications, and project management, while mentoring jun...
Reposted 5 days ago
Drinking Water Treatment Practice Leader
$120K - $200K *
Transform national drinking water treatment practices by leading strategy, driving technical excellence, and fostering growth across multiple states. Collaborate with teams to innovate and enhance ser...
3 weeks ago
Senior Transportation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Tackle complex transportation challenges as a Senior Highway/Roads Engineer. Lead design projects and ensure quality, driving innovation in urban and highway systems while mentoring teams and engaging...
Reposted 1 week ago
$150K - $190K *
Drive stormwater design excellence in the Oregon/Idaho region, blending technical leadership, mentorship, and business development to enhance transportation projects while ensuring compliance and fost...
Reposted yesterday
$150K - $190K *
Join a dynamic team where you'll lead stormwater design for transportation and community projects, providing technical expertise and mentorship while fostering business development opportunities acros...
Reposted yesterday
$150K - $190K *
Grow your career as a stormwater design leader, driving compliance, mentoring a team, and supporting diverse infrastructure projects in the Oregon/Idaho region while enhancing business development opp...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Utility Operations Consultant
$110K - $130K *
Empower utilities by providing high-level operational consulting to enhance performance, compliance, and efficiency in drinking water, wastewater, and reuse systems. Collaborate with teams to deliver...
1 week ago
National Water Treatment Technical Expert
$213K - $266K *
Join a dynamic team to provide technical leadership in water treatment initiatives, optimizing processes and fostering client relationships. Leverage your expertise to drive innovative solutions and e...
Reposted today
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.