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 *
Transform environmental planning by leading multi-disciplinary teams in water and infrastructure projects. Manage permitting, develop technical documents, and mentor staff while ensuring compliance an...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of water and infrastructure projects by leading environmental planning efforts, managing multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while fostering cl...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of environmental planning for water and infrastructure projects. Lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage permitting processes, and develop technical documents while...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Lead multi-disciplinary teams in environmental planning and permitting for water and infrastructure projects. Manage schedules, budgets, and deliverables while mentoring staff and ensuring regulatory...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in managing environmental planning for water and infrastructure projects. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure compliance, deliver technical documents, and mentor staff...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Lead multi-disciplinary teams in environmental planning for water and infrastructure projects. Manage permitting, technical documentation, and client interactions while mentoring staff and ensuring pr...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of water and infrastructure projects. As a Senior Environmental Planner, you'll lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage environmental permitting, and develop techni...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Optimize environmental planning efforts for water and infrastructure projects. Lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage permitting processes, and develop technical documents while ensuring compliance wit...
Yesterday
Business Development Manager - Water/Wastewater
$80K - $95K *
Transform the utilities landscape by leading business development initiatives focused on water and wastewater. Collaborate with regional leaders to enhance client relationships and drive strategic gro...
2 days ago
Senior Field Geotechnical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join us to provide on-site leadership for geotechnical and earthwork construction on a major semiconductor manufacturing project, overseeing complex site activities, mentoring junior engineers, and en...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Field Geotechnical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive on-site geotechnical leadership for a large-scale manufacturing project, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and offering technical direction to junior staff while overseeing extensiv...
Reposted 1 week ago
$121K *
Innovate and lead New Product Development for refrigerated merchandisers, managing projects from concept to completion. Collaborate across teams to optimize designs and validate solutions, ensuring al...
6 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future by leading strategic initiatives and driving growth in our operations. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance client satisfaction, ensure project delivery, and foster employee deve...
6 days ago
Project Superintendent - Water Pipelines
$90K - $110K *
Transform your career by leading major construction projects, ensuring quality and safety while managing teams and subcontractors. Drive project success through effective planning, coordination, and p...
1 week ago
Environmental Practice Leader/Group Manager
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic environmental team, managing diverse projects, and driving business growth while ensuring exceptional client service and regulatory compliance in a collaborative...
1 week ago
Senior Roadway Transportation Engineer
$120K - $150K *
Transform communities by leading roadway design projects, ensuring timely execution and budget management while collaborating with clients and teams to deliver impactful transportation solutions...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Electrical Engineer/Project Manager, leading exciting projects in a consulting environment. Utilize your expertise in electrical design, client management, and multidis...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $140K *
Join our team to evaluate and design rehabilitation solutions for transportation rail stations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to assess site conditions, drainage, and environmental factors...
1 week ago
$95K - $140K *
Empower teams by evaluating and designing rehabilitation solutions for transportation rail stations, ensuring compliance with environmental and civil engineering standards while collaborating across m...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive efficient utility coordination on large-scale infrastructure projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to mitigate conflicts and manage relocations, ensuring timely delivery and cost...
1 week ago
Wastewater/Water Project Engineer
$88K - $102K *
Advance your career by tackling water/wastewater design projects in a dynamic team. Collaborate with senior engineers, manage project tasks, and enhance your technical skills while contributing to imp...
Yesterday
Wastewater/Water Project Engineer
$88K - $102K *
Engage in impactful water/wastewater design projects, collaborating with senior engineers to deliver quality solutions while developing your expertise in a dynamic, supportive environment...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Transform the future of wastewater management by leading operations, ensuring compliance, and driving growth. Collaborate with teams to enhance performance and client relations while overseeing staffi...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Mechanical Engineer - WWTP
$100K - $120K *
Lead and manage wastewater treatment projects from concept to completion, ensuring adherence to budget, schedule, and specifications while fostering effective communication with stakeholders and overs...
1 week ago
Senior Geotechnical Dam Engineer
$160K - $175K *
Grow your career with our team as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer. Leverage your 12+ years of experience to lead dam safety projects, mentor staff, and enhance client relationships, contributing to inn...
Reposted 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.