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 Project Manager - Power Generation
$159K - $214K *
Manage and lead complex Power Generation projects, ensuring optimal client service, quality, and financial performance. Oversee project scope, schedule, budget, and risk management while coordinating...
3 weeks ago
Webber - Senior Project Engineer - Waterworks
$95K - $115K *
Drive project success and innovation as a Senior Project Engineer, overseeing waterworks construction from budgeting to completion while ensuring client satisfaction and safety excellence in a collabo...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Design Manager - Water/Wastewater
$81K - $135K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of municipal water/wastewater projects. Lead multi-disciplinary design efforts, ensuring compliance and quality while managing budgets and schedules in a dynamic...
6 days ago
Design Manager - Water/Wastewater
$81K - $135K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team managing multi-disciplinary municipal water/wastewater projects. Lead design efforts, ensure compliance, and enhance project strategies while fostering communicati...
6 days ago
Design Manager - Water/Wastewater
$81K - $135K *
Lead the charge in managing multi-disciplinary municipal water/wastewater projects, ensuring compliance and quality in design delivery while collaborating with diverse teams to meet client and operati...
6 days ago
Design Manager - Water/Wastewater
$81K - $135K *
Join a dynamic team to manage multi-disciplinary municipal water/wastewater projects, ensuring compliant designs and effective communication among stakeholders while adhering to budget and schedule re...
6 days ago
$135K - $180K *
Transform drainage engineering for major Oil, Gas, and Chemical projects. Lead technical development, ensure compliance, and mentor staff while collaborating across disciplines to deliver innovative s...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform high-volume certification testing by leading teams, optimizing processes, and ensuring safety and quality standards. Drive performance and talent development while fostering a culture of acc...
1 week ago
Senior Highway Project Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in shaping innovative transportation solutions that enhance community connectivity and safety. Manage diverse engineering projects, fostering collaboration and ensuring timely delivery...
2 weeks ago
Drinking Water Treatment Process Engineer
$91K - $132K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing municipal drinking water systems. Leverage your engineering expertise to support diverse projects, collaborate with specialists, and contribute to innovative...
3 weeks ago
Drinking Water Treatment Process Engineer
$91K - $139K *
Join our team to support municipal drinking water projects, leveraging your engineering expertise. Collaborate with diverse specialists, manage multiple assignments, and contribute to innovative solut...
3 weeks ago
$145K - $170K *
Drive innovative process engineering solutions to enhance plant operations, bridging R&D and design. Lead equipment selection and ensure compliance while tackling challenges in scaling and implementin...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Coastal Engineer
$165K - $247K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of coastal engineering by leading innovative projects, mentoring talent, and driving business growth in a dynamic consulting environment focused on sustainability...
Yesterday
Senior Principal Coastal Engineer
$165K - $247K *
Transform coastal and water resources engineering through innovative project leadership, client development, and mentorship. Drive impactful solutions in shoreline protection, waterfront design, and r...
Yesterday
Water Resources Engineer in Training
$75K - $100K *
Advance your career by supporting our Water Resources design team on diverse projects, including drainage, potable water, and wastewater infrastructure. Collaborate with experienced engineers in a dyn...
1 week ago
Senior Project Geotechnical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Advance geotechnical engineering projects from planning to construction. Lead field exploration, design, and project management while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with clients to ensur...
6 days ago
Associate Director | Water Resources
$110K - $130K *
Unlock growth at the intersection of civil engineering and water resources. Lead multi-disciplinary project design, client relations, and permitting efforts while driving successful project outcomes t...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Associate Director | Water Resources
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative civil engineering projects through leadership, design, and project management. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to exceed client expectations in site development and water re...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Geotechnical Project Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in advancing geotechnical investigations and solutions, collaborating with a dynamic team to deliver technical excellence and strategic growth in forensic engineering projects that add...
2 weeks ago
Staff Environmental Engineer I
$75K - $87K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team supporting environmental projects. Assist in field activities and technical tasks, ensuring effective investigation and remediation efforts while collaborating wit...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of energy infrastructure by leading FERC-regulated projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, and driving business growth while delivering high-quality environmental permits and repo...
6 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading FERC-regulated projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and driving business growth in ecological and environmental permitting across the nation...
6 days ago
$110K - $144K *
Drive impactful engineering solutions by managing key infrastructure projects, enhancing regional water systems, and fostering collaboration within a dynamic team. This role offers opportunities for l...
3 weeks ago
$141K - $185K *
Lead complex engineering projects in electric power generation, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions while managing budgets, schedul...
Today
Senior Geotechnical Staff Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by providing geotechnical engineering services across diverse projects. Lead field investigations, analyze data, and develop plans while collaborating with clients and project team...
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.