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.
$90K - $110K *
Deliver exceptional dewatering solutions by leading project execution, ensuring client satisfaction, and optimizing system performance while managing resources and timelines effectively...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Champion dewatering operations by ensuring project delivery meets client expectations, managing site activities, and optimizing system performance while maintaining profitability and safety standards...
3 weeks ago
Senior Environmental Consultant Manager
$165K - $253K *
Engage in environmental compliance and permitting for power projects. Lead business development, manage multi-disciplinary teams, and mentor junior staff while ensuring adherence to regulatory require...
Today
Senior Environmental Consultant Manager
$165K - $253K *
Join a dynamic team to lead environmental compliance and permitting efforts for diverse power and industrial projects. Drive business development, manage complex projects, and mentor junior staff whil...
Today
Senior Environmental Consultant Manager
$165K - $253K *
Manage environmental compliance and permitting for complex power projects. Lead business development, expand client relationships, and mentor junior staff while ensuring adherence to federal, state, a...
Today
Senior Environmental Consultant Manager
$165K - $253K *
Join a team that's driving environmental compliance and permitting for complex power projects. Leverage your expertise to manage multi-disciplinary teams, foster client relationships, and expand our e...
Today
Senior Environmental Consultant Manager
$165K - $253K *
Shape the future of environmental compliance by leading multi-disciplinary projects, driving business development, and mentoring junior staff in the power industry. Collaborate with clients and stakeh...
Today
Water Resources Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Engage in dynamic project management, overseeing scope, schedule, and budget while collaborating with teams to deliver high-quality outcomes. Foster client relationships and mentor team members to dri...
2 weeks ago
$83K - $104K *
Engage in civil engineering for utility systems, overseeing development projects, ensuring compliance, and coordinating with stakeholders. Drive project success through inspections, planning, and effe...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading drainage and stormwater projects, ensuring design accuracy, managing documentation, and fostering client relationships while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to d...
3 weeks ago
Transportation Hydraulics Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Oversee and coordinate multidisciplinary teams on complex projects, ensuring timely delivery and client satisfaction. Manage project lifecycle from initiation to close-out while tracking financials an...
4 weeks ago
California Wastewater Practice Lead
$163K - $282K *
Drive growth and innovation in wastewater management across California, leading strategic initiatives, enhancing client relationships, and mentoring future leaders while ensuring project excellence an...
1 week ago
California Wastewater Practice Lead
$163K - $282K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of wastewater management in California. Drive innovation, lead strategic initiatives, and mentor emerging professionals while delivering sustainable solutions to...
1 week ago
California Wastewater Practice Lead
$163K - $282K *
Lead the strategic growth and technical excellence of our wastewater practice in California. Drive innovation, client engagement, and project delivery while mentoring emerging leaders and collaboratin...
1 week ago
California Wastewater Practice Lead
$163K - $282K *
Lead your career with a strategic role in wastewater management, driving innovation and excellence across California. Collaborate with experts, mentor talent, and deliver impactful projects while enha...
1 week ago
California Wastewater Practice Lead
$163K - $282K *
Transform California's wastewater landscape by leading strategic initiatives, driving innovation, and delivering complex projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance client relationshi...
1 week ago
California Wastewater Practice Lead
$163K - $282K *
Shape the future of wastewater management in California by leading strategic initiatives, driving innovation, and fostering client relationships. Empower teams to deliver sustainable solutions while m...
1 week ago
$70K - $135K *
Join a team that's leading traffic engineering projects, enhancing transportation solutions for clients. Collaborate with experts to evaluate traffic challenges and implement innovative designs that i...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Advance your career by leading structural evaluations and rehabilitation designs for aerial structures. Oversee inspections, develop solutions, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure e...
1 week ago
$120K - $160K *
Shape the future of structural engineering by leading assessments and rehabilitation designs for aerial structures. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions that enhanc...
1 week ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Unlock potential by contributing to hydropower and water resources projects, from design to commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative mechanical engineering solutio...
5 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Unlock your potential as an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer, contributing to hydropower and water resources projects from design to commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver...
5 days ago
$70K - $135K *
Lead impactful traffic engineering projects, collaborating with clients to enhance transportation systems nationwide. Drive innovative solutions while mentoring a talented team dedicated to excellence...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$70K - $135K *
Drive innovative traffic engineering solutions by leading projects and managing client relationships, enhancing transportation systems and safety through technical expertise and strategic land use pla...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Take ownership of impactful coastal protection projects, leveraging advanced engineering skills and collaboration with industry leaders to design resilient solutions for flood risk management and envi...
4 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.