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.
$95K - $115K *
Empower our team by leading construction inspections for diverse projects. Oversee roadway, bridge, and utility construction while mentoring inspectors and ensuring quality standards. Collaborate with...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$135K - $185K *
Transform municipal conveyance projects by leading innovative designs for storm, sanitary, and watermain systems. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions while mentoring j...
3 days ago
$130K - $150K *
Shape the future of regional sales by leading a dynamic team to drive growth, enhance customer satisfaction, and optimize performance across a diverse territory. Foster relationships and implement str...
6 days ago
Senior Superintendent - Water/Wastewater
$160K - $190K *
Join a team that drives excellence in heavy construction by managing onsite safety, coordination, and quality control while mentoring peers and overseeing project execution in water and wastewater sec...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$135K - $208K *
Unlock your potential by leading innovative municipal conveyance designs for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver impactful solutions while mentoring emerging prof...
3 days ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$135K - $208K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative municipal conveyance designs for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver high-quality engineering solutions while mentoring jun...
3 days ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative municipal conveyance projects. As a Senior Project Manager, you'll guide designs, mentor teams, and ensure project success from concept to construction, all w...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Project Manager, leading innovative municipal conveyance designs for water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior staff while managing proj...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to the design and management of municipal conveyance projects, leading technical efforts on storm, sanitary, and watermain systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality deliverables whi...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's leading innovative municipal conveyance designs for water and wastewater infrastructure. Drive projects from concept to construction while mentoring junior designers and ensuring qu...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$110K - $130K *
Lead the design and execution of complex municipal conveyance projects, guiding a team through all phases from conceptualization to construction, while ensuring compliance with environmental standards...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager/ Technical Lead, Conveyance
$135K - $208K *
Shape the future of municipal infrastructure by leading innovative conveyance projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design and implement solutions for storm, sanitary, and watermain systems, wh...
3 days ago
$80K - $100K *
Analyze and enhance stormwater quality compliance through hydrology modeling, report writing, and engineering support. Collaborate on diverse projects while enjoying flexible work arrangements that pr...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $154K *
Lead diverse roadway design initiatives, collaborating on local and national DOT projects. Leverage 8+ years of civil engineering expertise in analyzing and designing complex highway systems with cutt...
Reposted yesterday
Water/Wastewater Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive the planning, design, and execution of municipal water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions while enhancing your technical and projec...
6 days ago
Water/Wastewater Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to the planning and design of municipal water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with teams to deliver effective engineering solutions while enhancing your technical and project managemen...
6 days ago
Senior Environmental Scientist, Geologist, Engineer or Hydrogeologist
$80K - $95K *
Lead site investigations and remediation efforts, collaborating on diverse environmental projects. Utilize your expertise in contaminated site assessments, inspect construction performance, and manage...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Contribute to impactful land development projects by leading design teams, collaborating with clients, and driving innovative solutions. Leverage your expertise to enhance project outcomes and strengt...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$75K - $120K *
Drive project success by leading heavy construction initiatives, managing teams, and ensuring financial performance while adhering to safety and quality standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to del...
3 weeks ago
Director, Water Resources - (Sustainability US)
$125K - $150K *
Transform water resource management by leading a dynamic team, driving innovative solutions, and fostering client relationships in the mining and infrastructure sectors across North America...
Reposted 1 week ago
Environmental Engineer - Water Services Group
$91K - $160K *
Engineer innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions, ensuring compliance and sustainability. Collaborate on diverse projects, enhance system efficiency, and mentor junior staff while making a...
3 weeks ago
Environmental Engineer - Water Services Group
$91K - $160K *
Transform water and wastewater systems through innovative design and optimization. Collaborate on projects that enhance water quality and ensure regulatory compliance while mentoring junior engineers...
3 weeks ago
Client Account Director TX Municipal Water/Wastewater
$141K - $232K *
Unlock potential by leading client relationships and driving growth in municipal water/wastewater engineering. This strategic role focuses on business development, mentoring, and delivering high-quali...
4 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Lead the design and delivery of critical wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and innovation while collaborating with stakeholders to optimize structural engineering solutions throu...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager | Water Resources
$127K - $157K *
Advance your career by managing diverse water resources projects, ensuring design excellence and client satisfaction while collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to meet deadlines and budgets...
Reposted 2 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.