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 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 3 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
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative engineering solutions by leading diverse projects, conducting analyses, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with teams to deliver quality results while mentoring junior staff and...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by providing engineering and consulting services across diverse projects. Lead investigations, design plans, and ensure compliance while collaborating with clients and teams to d...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in delivering engineering and consulting services across diverse projects. Oversee investigations, analyses, and design while ensuring compliance and quality standards. Collaborate wit...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Lead complex tunneling projects, ensuring quality and safety while driving innovation. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and build client relationships to enhance our tunneling practice's growt...
1 week ago
Senior Hydrogeologist - Water Services Group
$91K - $160K *
Empower water resource projects by overseeing groundwater systems, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Drive technical excellence and client satisfact...
3 weeks ago
Water/Wastewater Superintendent
$80K - $95K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team as you oversee project execution, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. Collaborate closely with project managers and subcontractors to deliver high-value cons...
2 weeks ago
Environmental Project Engineer/Scientist/Geologist
$80K - $95K *
Manage environmental projects by conducting assessments, sampling, and remediation. Collaborate with clients and teams to ensure compliance and deliver high-quality reports. Travel may be required up...
Reposted 1 week ago
$165K - $247K *
Join a team that's committed to innovation and excellence in water resource management. Lead regional business development efforts and mentor a high-performing team while driving sustainable engineeri...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$85K - $102K *
Advance your career by leading geotechnical projects, designing solutions, and partnering on impactful land development initiatives while coordinating investigations and fieldwork in diverse environme...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$125K *
Champion our remediation initiatives by leading complex projects, collaborating with diverse teams, and driving customer satisfaction across environmental services. Your expertise will enhance operati...
1 week ago
$125K *
Oversee large-scale remediation projects, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance customer satisfaction and drive growth in environmental services. Ensure project profitability and safety while ma...
1 week ago
$125K *
Join a team dedicated to executing large-scale remediation and environmental projects. Collaborate with diverse professionals to enhance customer satisfaction and drive growth in remediation, waste ma...
1 week ago
Water / Wastewater Project Manager
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in managing complex water/wastewater projects, ensuring effective coordination across departments, budget adherence, and strategic decision-making while mentoring engineers and prepari...
3 weeks ago
Water / Wastewater Project Manager
$80K - $95K *
Lead the development and management of complex water/wastewater projects, ensuring adherence to budgets and schedules while mentoring engineers and resolving operational issues across departments...
3 weeks ago
$146K - $167K *
Join a dynamic team to lead impactful roadway design projects, enhancing infrastructure while mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment, fostering client relationships...
2 days ago
Design Engineer/Project Manager
$90K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team to lead solid waste projects, preparing engineering designs and reports while gaining hands-on experience. Collaborate with professionals and contribute to sustainable engineering...
3 days 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.