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.
Senior Water Engineer/Practice Leader - Virginia
$110K - $130K *
Champion growth in water resource engineering by leading projects, managing teams, and driving business development in Virginia. Collaborate with senior leadership to enhance market presence and deliv...
1 week ago
Senior Water Engineer/Practice Leader - Virginia
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving growth in water resource engineering. Lead projects, mentor staff, and enhance client relationships while expanding market presence in Virginia. Your expertise will shape in...
1 week ago
Senior Wastewater Operations Manager
$125K - $175K *
Lead the charge in optimizing wastewater operations by serving as the key liaison between stakeholders, ensuring compliance, performance, and effective communication for a major municipal treatment fa...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water Infrastructure Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of drinking water by leading impactful municipal projects, managing client relationships, and delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions that ensure safe water access for communi...
1 week ago
Senior Design Engineer, Wastewater
$101K - $152K *
Lead innovative water and wastewater projects, managing design and construction efforts while collaborating with diverse teams to enhance community resilience and infrastructure effectiveness in the N...
2 weeks ago
Senior Design Engineer, Wastewater
$101K - $152K *
Elevate your career by managing innovative water and wastewater projects. Lead design and implementation efforts while collaborating with diverse teams to enhance climate resiliency and community infr...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Project Manager, Distribution/Conveyance
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing complex water/wastewater projects, leveraging client relationships and technical expertise to deliver innovative solutions while mentoring junior engineers and driving busi...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform communities by leading civil engineering projects from design to construction. Collaborate with clients and team members to create innovative treatment solutions that enhance quality of life...
2 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Treatment Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Optimize water infrastructure projects by designing, managing, and ensuring compliance for treatment facilities and systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions i...
Reposted today
Water/Wastewater Treatment Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of water infrastructure by managing multidisciplinary projects aimed at designing and optimizing state-of-the-art water/wastewater treatment systems, ensuring compliance with industry...
Reposted today
Senior or Principal Water Resources Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Shape innovative urban stormwater management projects, leading complex initiatives in hydrologic analysis, design, and regulatory compliance while mentoring staff and driving business development effo...
2 weeks ago
Senior or Principal Water Resources Engineer
$134K - $218K *
Champion innovative urban stormwater management projects, leading complex analyses and designs. Drive compliance, mentoring, and business development while ensuring sustainable practices in water reso...
2 weeks ago
Senior or Principal Water Resources Engineer
$134K - $218K *
Unlock your potential as you lead innovative water resource projects, focusing on urban stormwater management and sustainable practices. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive impactful solutions an...
2 weeks ago
Wastewater Process Project Engineer
$80K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing wastewater solutions. Leverage your engineering expertise to lead design projects, mentor junior staff, and enhance client relationships while contributing to...
1 week ago
Wastewater Process Project Engineer
$80K - $130K *
Shape your career by leading wastewater design projects, mentoring engineers, and driving innovative solutions in a collaborative environment. Join a dynamic team focused on sustainable water practice...
1 week ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$90K - $110K *
Develop innovative stormwater management solutions by leading complex projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with teams to ensure regulatory compliance and technical excellence in des...
3 weeks ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Drive complex stormwater management projects, overseeing design and permitting while mentoring junior staff and collaborating with teams and clients to ensure technical excellence and regulatory compl...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $110K *
Transform water and wastewater systems by leveraging engineering expertise to design, analyze, and implement innovative solutions that enhance sustainability and efficiency in resource management...
1 week ago
$80K - $110K *
Join a team that's dedicated to innovative water and wastewater solutions. Leverage your engineering expertise to enhance sustainability and quality of life through impactful projects in a collaborati...
1 week ago
Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater)
$88K - $142K *
Shape the future of Water/Wastewater projects by leading client relations, mentoring staff, and ensuring project success from planning to execution. Join a collaborative team dedicated to impactful co...
2 weeks ago
Water & Wastewater Civil Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Optimize water and wastewater projects by leveraging your civil engineering expertise. Collaborate with clients and teams to deliver innovative solutions from design to construction, ensuring complian...
1 week ago
Senior Hydrogeologist - Groundwater
$100K - $150K *
Help us tackle complex groundwater challenges by leading impactful hydrogeology projects across the Southwest. You'll guide technical strategies, mentor junior staff, and ensure project success while...
2 days ago
Senior Hydrogeologist - Groundwater
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in tackling complex groundwater challenges across the Southwest. Utilize your expertise to manage high-impact hydrogeology projects, mentor junior staff, and drive innovative solutions...
3 days ago
Water/ Wastewater Assistant Project Manager
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to transformative water and wastewater projects, collaborating with a diverse team to design and manage systems that enhance community well-being and ensure sustainable practices across var...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Project Manager
$90K - $110K *
Manage and oversee multidiscipline water/wastewater projects, ensuring effective design, planning, and execution for municipal clients. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions that enha...
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.