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.
Process Engineering Project Technical Leader
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer innovative water treatment solutions by leading complex projects, guiding teams, and ensuring customer satisfaction through technical expertise and strategic oversight in process engineering...
Yesterday
Senior / Principal Environmental Consultant
$140K - $160K *
Advance your career as a Senior/Principal Environmental Consultant, leading subsurface investigations and remediation projects while mentoring junior staff and driving business development in the nort...
Yesterday
Associate Geotechnical Engineer
$130K - $195K *
Unlock your potential by leading diverse geotechnical projects across sectors. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and tackle complex challenges while advancing your car...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative mechanical designs for diverse building projects, ensuring compliance and excellence in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems while mentoring junior engi...
1 week ago
QC Manager -Kiewit Water Facilities South
$95K - $115K *
Champion quality excellence by overseeing quality plans and audits across multiple infrastructure projects. Collaborate closely with teams to enhance compliance and innovation, ensuring successful imp...
Reposted 1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Drive environmental excellence by ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting sustainability initiatives. Collaborate across departments to enhance plant operations while managing environmental...
5 days ago
Senior Electrical Engineer LNG
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining engineering excellence by providing technical guidance and leadership on complex projects. Collaborate across disciplines to drive innovation and ensure quality while men...
5 days ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer | Healthcare
$124K - $150K *
Lead the charge in multi-discipline project management and design execution, ensuring client satisfaction in healthcare engineering. Collaborate with a dedicated team to deliver innovative solutions a...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering engineering solutions across diverse sectors. Lead projects, conduct analyses, and oversee fieldwork while collaborating with professionals to ensure quality...
Reposted 2 days ago
Lead, Project Delivery Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Unlock your potential by leading innovative projects, collaborating across teams, and driving strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and foster growth within the organization...
5 days ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Mission Critical
$110K - $165K *
Lead the design and execution of innovative data center projects, mentoring junior engineers and ensuring quality standards. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to deliver cutting-edge solutions...
3 days ago
$90K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of geotechnical engineering by leading innovative projects in earth structures and foundations. Collaborate with multi-discipline teams to ensure safe infrastruct...
4 weeks ago
Enterprise Director, Safety, Security & Environmental (SSE)
$130K - $196K *
Lead the charge in developing and enhancing enterprise-wide safety, security, and environmental strategies. Drive a proactive culture focused on compliance, risk management, and operational excellence...
1 week ago
Environmental Engineer – Mid Level (Hybrid)
$85K - $105K *
Unlock potential by joining our team as a mid-level environmental engineer, where you'll lead site investigations, develop remediation strategies, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliv...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Transform land development projects by leading a dynamic team of engineers. Drive project planning, design supervision, and client engagement while ensuring quality and compliance across residential...
2 weeks ago
$115K - $150K *
Elevate your career by leading plumbing engineering design for diverse projects. Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and contractors, while ensuring compliance with standards and budget go...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Water/Wastewater Seller-Doer
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading water and wastewater engineering projects, enhancing client relationships, and driving market growth across Michigan. Collaborate with teams to deliver quality solutions wh...
1 week ago
Preconstruction Director (Water/Wastewater)
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's pivotal in leading preconstruction services for complex water/wastewater projects. You'll manage personnel, foster client relationships, and drive business acquisition efforts while...
2 days ago
Senior Technical Manager - Environmental Permitting & Compliance
$130K - $165K *
Lead environmental permitting and compliance for diverse infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategies, manage client relationships, and ensure regulatory adh...
1 week ago
Water Resources Project Engineer
$87K - $102K *
Join a dynamic team to lead complex water resources projects, ensuring successful design and implementation while adhering to budgets and quality standards. Collaborate with stakeholders and mentor ju...
Reposted yesterday
Water Resources Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in innovative water resources engineering projects, ensuring successful completion within budget and schedule. Collaborate with teams on municipal infrastructure, stormwater management...
Reposted 4 days ago
Water Resources Project Engineer
$87K - $102K *
Unlock your potential by leading diverse water resources projects, ensuring quality and compliance while collaborating with teams to deliver innovative solutions in municipal infrastructure and sustai...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Manage and lead multi-disciplinary teams in environmental planning and permitting for water and infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and successful project delivery while mentoring staff and d...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Elevate environmental planning efforts by managing multi-disciplinary teams, leading permitting processes, and developing technical documents for water and infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Advance your career by leading environmental planning for water and infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, manage permitting processes, and mentor staff while ensuring com...
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.