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.
Project Manager | Water Resources
$127K - $157K *
Innovate the future of water resources by managing diverse projects that exceed client expectations. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions within budget and timeline whi...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Project Manager | Water Resources
$127K - $157K *
Manage and oversee complex engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery, scope adherence, and budget compliance while fostering client relationships and team collaboration for optimal outcomes in wa...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Civil/Environmental Engineer
$125K - $165K *
Take ownership of impactful environmental projects as a Senior Engineer, overseeing assessment, remediation, and compliance efforts while leading a dynamic team to drive success and ensure the highest...
Reposted 5 days ago
Project Manager | Water Resources
$127K - $157K *
Join a team that's dedicated to innovative water resource projects, managing multi-disciplinary teams and ensuring excellence in design. Develop client relationships while delivering on time and withi...
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$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to drive innovation in Liquid Chromatography systems, focusing on mechanical design, analysis, and testing. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure product excellence from concept...
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$104K - $138K *
Shape the future of infrastructure by leading geotechnical projects, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and delivering innovative solutions that enhance community resilience across BC and the Yu...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's redefining project engineering in wastewater treatment. Support critical projects through cost management, contract administration, and project controls, ensuring successful deliver...
1 week ago
Civil Engineer - Water Resources
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water resources! Leverage your engineering expertise to collaborate on diverse projects, enhance community infrastructure, and build lasting professional relat...
1 week ago
Lead Environmental Specialist - Waste & Water
$100K - $120K *
Champion environmental compliance by leading waste and water programs, providing technical guidance, and collaborating with refinery operations to mitigate risks and drive continuous improvement in en...
Yesterday
$139K - $174K *
Lead structural design for complex projects, focusing on data centers and industrial facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring junior engine...
2 weeks ago
$145K - $158K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Professional Geologist, leading complex solid waste projects. Drive groundwater monitoring, regulatory compliance, and multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver inno...
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Construction Specialist 3 (Water/Wastewater)
$82K - $136K *
Join a dynamic team to execute estimating tasks, manage project activities, and support construction operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project success through effective planning, sch...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to managing complex international nuclear projects. Support the elimination of sensitive materials and infrastructure while collaborating with federal partners to develop...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting and Planning
$125K - $150K *
Unlock your potential by leading innovative projects in environmental planning and permitting. Drive business development and manage client relationships while overseeing compliance and strategic plan...
2 weeks ago
Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting and Planning
$150K - $180K *
Unlock your potential by leading client development and environmental compliance efforts in the Energy sector. Drive innovative projects while mentoring a talented team and expanding our practice thro...
2 weeks ago
Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting and Planning
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy through innovative permitting and planning. Lead client development and manage complex projects while mentoring a talented team in a collaborative envir...
2 weeks ago
Senior Principal Practice Leader - Permitting and Planning
$150K - $180K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative projects in environmental planning and permitting. Drive client development and regulatory compliance while managing diverse teams in the energy sector, ensur...
2 weeks ago
Civil Engineering Manager - Municipal
$95K - $115K *
Partner with us to lead impactful projects in civil engineering, enhancing urban infrastructure through innovative water and transportation solutions. Inspire a team while delivering excellence from p...
Reposted 1 week ago
Civil Project Engineer - Land Development
$125K - $175K *
Take ownership of impactful land development projects, leading teams to deliver high-quality civil engineering solutions while managing schedules, budgets, and compliance with industry standards...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Structural Professional Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining structural engineering by leading innovative design and analysis for diverse projects, ensuring quality and compliance while mentoring the next generation of engineers an...
1 week ago
Senior Structural Professional Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of structural engineering by leading innovative design and analysis for diverse projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver effective solutions that enhance commun...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovative coastal engineering solutions for large-scale water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance climate resilience and manage complex client need...
Reposted 3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock your potential by combining civil design expertise with hands-on fieldwork. Collaborate on community development projects, ensuring quality and compliance while enhancing your skills in a dynam...
2 weeks ago
$113K - $148K *
Transform diverse engineering projects in geotechnical analysis, ensuring safety and innovation. Lead teams, manage client relationships, and exceed expectations in infrastructure design across multip...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to diverse engineering projects by leading investigations, analyses, and design. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance, quality, and effective communication of complex concepts to cli...
Yesterday
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.