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 – Environmental Remediation Engineer
$135K - $236K *
Join a team that's tackling complex environmental projects, leading investigations and remediation efforts while mentoring staff and driving business development in a collaborative environment focused...
2 weeks ago
Principal – Environmental Remediation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive impactful environmental remediation projects by leading investigations, managing teams, and fostering client relationships. Leverage your expertise to enhance project delivery and contribute to...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $140K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative civil engineering solutions for complex projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance, quality, and client satisfaction while mentori...
3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager, Stormwater Drainage
$110K - $130K *
Empower project success by leading high-impact transportation drainage initiatives, managing client relationships, and driving innovative solutions from concept to completion while ensuring compliance...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate the Chemicals business as a Senior Process Engineer, leading technical projects, mentoring teams, and delivering innovative engineering solutions. Collaborate within interdisciplinary teams to...
Reposted 6 days ago
$133K - $196K *
Oversee process engineering services, providing technical support and supervision to ensure quality deliverables while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and clients to define project scope an...
1 week ago
Project Engineer - Project Finance
$80K - $95K *
Transform project finance operations by supporting cost management, change management, and project controls for a critical wastewater treatment initiative. Collaborate with teams to ensure financial p...
2 days ago
$118K - $187K *
Lead the charge in advancing geochemical and water quality projects, focusing on mining. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and promote safety while delivering innovative so...
1 week ago
Operations Supervisor (Wastewater)
$100K - $105K *
Shape operational excellence by overseeing plant staff and shift operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations while optimizing performance and efficiency in wastewater treatment processes...
2 weeks ago
$118K - $187K *
Shape the future of environmental services by leading geochemical and water quality projects in the mining sector. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance client relationships and drive in...
1 week ago
$125K - $187K *
Unlock potential by leading geochemical and water quality projects in mining. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance environmental assessments and client relationships while ensuring comp...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Optimize environmental assessments and water quality projects by leveraging your expertise in geochemistry and mining. Lead multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring compliance with regulations while enhanci...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in advancing environmental solutions through expert geochemistry and water quality assessments, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance project outcomes in the mining sec...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead innovative geochemical and water quality projects, enhancing environmental assessments and permitting for mining. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive impactful solutions and expand...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate environmental standards by leading geochemical and water quality projects in mining. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance and promote sustainability while managing cli...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Inspire change by leveraging your expertise in geochemistry and water quality to lead impactful mining projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance environmental assessments and promote sustain...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Elevate dam safety and hydropower projects by leading inspections, risk assessments, and engineering evaluations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality outcomes and mentor ju...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Shape the future of dam safety engineering by leading inspections, risk assessments, and design projects for hydropower and hydraulic structures. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure hig...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Drive your career with a senior role in dam safety engineering, leading inspections, assessments, and design projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance infrastructure safety and con...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Unlock potential by leading dam safety engineering projects, conducting inspections, and managing multidisciplinary teams. Drive technical excellence in hydropower and hydraulic structures while mento...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Champion dam safety initiatives by leading inspections, assessments, and designs for hydropower and hydraulic structures. Drive project success through technical leadership, client collaboration, and...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Lead the charge in dam safety engineering by conducting inspections, risk assessments, and design evaluations for hydropower and hydraulic structures. Mentor teams and manage projects to ensure high-q...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Transform dam safety practices by leading inspections, assessments, and designs for hydropower and hydraulic structures. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality project outcome...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Lead the charge in dam safety engineering, overseeing inspections, risk assessments, and design for hydropower projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality outcomes and me...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Transform dam safety practices by leading inspections, risk assessments, and engineering evaluations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance hydropower infrastructure and mentor junior en...
2 weeks 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.