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.
$150K - $200K *
Elevate dam safety practices by leading inspections, assessments, and designs for hydropower and hydraulic structures. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality project outcomes...
2 weeks ago
Senior Civil Engineer -- Energy & Industrial Group
$84K - $129K *
Transform civil engineering projects by collaborating in a multi-disciplined team to design and analyze power plants and industrial systems, ensuring timely and effective project delivery while mentor...
4 weeks ago
$67K - $94K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing water infrastructure through innovative engineering design. Collaborate on diverse projects, from pipelines to pump stations, while gaining hands-on experienc...
Reposted yesterday
Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer
$89K - $111K *
Help us engineer innovative water/wastewater treatment systems by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure design accuracy, budget adherence, and compliance with quality standards while ma...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer - Agricultural & Water Resources
$120K - $145K *
Shape your career by leading innovative water management projects, guiding a skilled team to deliver sustainable solutions for irrigation districts and agricultural entities, while enhancing client re...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Optimize project execution by leading electrical design for diverse markets. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to resolve design challenges and maintain high-quality standards whil...
Reposted yesterday
Experienced Professional, Civil Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Engineer impactful civil infrastructure projects by leading design, analysis, and construction efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and compliance with industry standards...
2 days ago
$125K - $160K *
Architect innovative solutions by leading diverse project teams, ensuring design excellence across commercial, institutional, and federal sectors while managing client relationships and project delive...
3 weeks ago
Industrial Pretreatment Program & Lab Manager 26-137
$78K - $121K *
Join a team that's dedicated to environmental excellence by managing the Industrial Waste Pretreatment Program and laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with regulations while leading a skilled t...
1 week ago
$200K *
Unlock potential by leading complex tunnel and trenchless projects. Leverage your 15+ years of expertise in design and construction management to drive successful outcomes and enhance client relations...
3 weeks ago
$200K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in tunnel and trenchless design. Leverage your 15+ years of experience to manage projects, lead teams, and enhance client relationships in a rapidly growing secto...
3 weeks ago
Senior Conveyance Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate project success by leading conveyance and pipeline initiatives, ensuring effective planning, design, and execution while fostering client relationships and mentoring junior staff to achieve...
4 weeks ago
Senior Highway Engineer - Project Manager
$120K - $150K *
Drive the growth of a new transportation engineering practice, shaping its direction and team while leveraging existing client relationships. Combine technical expertise with entrepreneurial leadershi...
4 weeks ago
Senior Highway Engineer - Project Manager
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in delivering complex transportation projects, managing client relationships, and guiding teams to ensure successful outcomes for state and local DOT clients. Drive project execution f...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform mechanical systems commissioning in mission-critical environments. Collaborate with project teams, execute field activities, and ensure compliance with industry standards while mentoring jun...
1 week ago
Senior Roadway Design Engineer
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative transportation infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure high-quality design and execution while maintaining budgets and sch...
2 weeks ago
Senior Roadway Design Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of transportation engineering by leading and delivering complex roadway projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure high-quality outcomes while fostering cl...
2 weeks ago
Senior Policy Advisor, Upstream (Water/Environmental)
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of policy positions on environmental issues, ensuring member engagement and alignment. Collaborate with stakeholders to advocate for effective regulations and strategies that...
Yesterday
Senior Policy Advisor, Upstream (Water/Environmental)
$110K - $130K *
Champion policy development and advocacy for environmental issues in the oil and gas sector. Collaborate with stakeholders to align on regulations and strategies, ensuring effective representation and...
Yesterday
$115K - $145K *
Join our innovative team as you lead the electrical engineering efforts for impactful solar projects, ensuring designs meet client needs while adhering to budgets and timelines. Collaborate across dis...
Reposted 2 days ago
$115K - $145K *
Elevate your engineering career by overseeing the electrical design of commercial and utility-scale solar projects. Ensure project budgets are met and collaborate with diverse teams while mentoring ju...
Reposted 2 days ago
Project Manager / Environmental Engineer
$90K - $108K *
Lead the charge in managing complex environmental projects, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior staff. Drive site investigations and remediation efforts, fostering client relationsh...
1 week ago
$110K - $125K *
Lead the supervision of water and wastewater facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations and effective operations. Manage maintenance projects, oversee crews, and collaborate with engineering for...
1 week ago
Senior Program Manager, Engineering - Deer Island
$121K - $169K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing engineering projects from design to construction, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance. Lead project management efforts while mentoring staff and col...
Yesterday
$100K - $140K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative water resource projects. Collaborate with engineers to tackle complex challenges in watershed and stormwater management, while advancing client goals through eff...
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.