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.
Intermediate Electrical Engineer
$117K - $176K *
Shape the future of energy projects by leading electrical design efforts within a dynamic team. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring junior engineers and ensu...
3 days ago
Senior Civil Project Engineer- Water/Wastewater
$102K - $130K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team as you lead complex water/wastewater projects, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior staff and collaborating with clients and consultants in a fas...
1 month ago
Senior Civil Project Engineer- Water/Wastewater
$102K - $130K *
Accelerate your career as a Senior Project Engineer, leading diverse water/wastewater projects. Collaborate with teams, manage budgets, and develop innovative solutions in a dynamic environment while...
1 month ago
Senior Civil Project Engineer- Water/Wastewater
$102K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading complex water/wastewater projects, providing technical expertise, and mentoring junior staff in a dynamic, collaborative environment focused on civil engineering excelle...
1 month ago
Electrical Department Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of water infrastructure by leading a skilled electrical engineering team. Drive project success through mentorship, resource allocation, and collaboration, ensuring exceptional result...
Today
Construction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in overseeing infrastructure projects, managing schedules, budgets, and safety while coordinating with contractors and clients to ensure successful project delivery from start to finis...
4 weeks ago
Construction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$95K - $115K *
Champion your career by overseeing infrastructure projects from start to finish, ensuring quality, safety, and budget compliance while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders for successful...
4 weeks ago
Solid Waste Engineering - Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in managing solid waste projects from planning to construction, ensuring quality and compliance while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions for div...
2 weeks ago
Professional Engineer - Agricultural Irrigation/ Surface Water Focus
$110K - $150K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for agricultural irrigation and surface water projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance infrastructure and support c...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Environmental Planner / Scientist
$160K - $240K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead environmental projects, manage client relationships, and mentor staff. Drive strategic growth in environmental permitting and compliance while collaborating with multid...
3 weeks ago
Principal- Water Environment Leader
$120K - $140K *
Inspire growth by leading business development in the Water Environment sector. Collaborate with teams to enhance client relationships, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver complex projects while...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal- Water Environment Leader
$125K - $150K *
Elevate business growth in the Water Environment sector by leading strategic initiatives, fostering client relationships, and delivering complex projects. Drive team development and operational excell...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Technical Manager, Civil Engineering - Industrial
$115K - $170K *
Shape innovative civil engineering solutions for diverse facility projects. Engage with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality designs from concept to construction, ensuring successful projec...
1 month ago
$130K - $160K *
Drive the future of structural engineering by leading complex capital projects, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring technical excellence across diverse markets, particularly in healthcare. Collaborat...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Manager, Civil Engineering - Industrial
$115K - $170K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative civil engineering projects, driving site design from concept to construction, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality infrastru...
1 month ago
Senior Technical Manager, Civil Engineering - Industrial
$115K - $170K *
Drive innovative civil engineering solutions for diverse facility projects. Take ownership of site design, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and ensure project success from concept to construc...
1 month ago
Senior Technical Manager, Civil Engineering - Industrial
$115K - $170K *
Empower your career by leading innovative civil engineering projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality facility designs, from concept to construction, while enhancing y...
1 month ago
Senior Technical Manager, Civil Engineering - Industrial
$115K - $170K *
Engineer innovative civil solutions for diverse facility projects, overseeing site design from concept to construction. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality and compliance while...
1 month ago
Senior Technical Manager, Civil Engineering - Industrial
$115K - $170K *
Champion innovative civil engineering solutions by leading site design efforts for diverse facility projects, ensuring quality and collaboration from concept through construction while mentoring junio...
1 month ago
Senior Structural Design Engineer (20+ Years Experience)
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative bridge and structural solutions while mentoring emerging engineers. Oversee complex projects, ensuring technical excellence and compliance, while fostering col...
2 weeks ago
Senior Director - Process Engineering NORAM
$177K - $200K *
Shape the future of water treatment by leading process engineering initiatives, driving innovation, and optimizing solutions across diverse markets. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure o...
2 weeks ago
Senior Director - Process Engineering NORAM
$169K - $220K *
Lead the charge in strategic process engineering for water treatment systems, driving innovation and operational excellence across diverse markets. Build high-performing teams to deliver scalable solu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Director - Process Engineering NORAM
$177K - $200K *
Lead the charge in process engineering excellence, driving innovative water treatment solutions while managing high-performing teams to meet market demands and enhance operational efficiency across di...
2 weeks ago
Stormwater Planning Section Lead
$100K - $120K *
Champion innovative stormwater solutions by leading project delivery, managing client relationships, and fostering team development. Drive growth through strategic marketing and technical expertise wh...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive successful land/site development projects through effective project management and technical design. Leverage strong communication skills and knowledge of U.S. design standards to deliver innova...
Reposted 6 days 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.