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 Water Resources Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead innovative water management projects, conducting analyses and designing systems to optimize resource use while ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices. Collaborate with multidisci...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water Resources Engineer
$93K - $114K *
Lead the design and implementation of innovative water resources solutions across complex transportation and land development projects, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction in a colla...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Construction Manager – Water Infrastructure Projects
$129K - $180K *
Shape the future of water infrastructure by managing complex projects from concept to completion. Ensure quality, safety, and client satisfaction while leading teams in the construction of vital potab...
2 weeks ago
Senior Process Engineer - Industrial Water and Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead and design innovative water and wastewater treatment systems for diverse industrial clients. Utilize advanced engineering techniques to tackle complex challenges while supervising junior engineer...
Reposted 3 days ago
$95K - $135K *
Lead hydrogeological projects and drive business growth by mentoring teams, enhancing client relationships, and delivering environmental solutions. Collaborate across disciplines to support innovative...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $135K *
Elevate your career by leading hydrogeology initiatives, driving business growth and delivering innovative solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance project outcomes and strengthe...
Reposted 1 week ago
$105K - $135K *
Lead the charge in managing and designing utility infrastructure projects, focusing on water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer improvements. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior staff while ensur...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Engineer (Water Treatment/Potable Water)
$88K - $159K *
Lead the charge in managing comprehensive water services, from planning to construction, addressing diverse drinking water system needs while mentoring staff and engaging with clients and the communit...
2 weeks ago
Senior Water Engineer, Land Development
$95K - $115K *
Join us to lead innovative water resource projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with design standards while optimizing processes for efficiency and effectiveness across diverse proj...
2 weeks ago
Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
$170K - $200K *
Champion the growth of a new Water/Wastewater practice in California, leveraging your extensive engineering expertise and client relationships to drive strategic development and revenue generation whi...
1 week ago
Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
$170K - $200K *
Lead the charge in establishing a new Water/Wastewater practice across California, driving strategic growth, client relationships, and project oversight while mentoring a multidisciplinary team to del...
1 week ago
Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
$170K - $200K *
Join us in leading the growth of a new Water/Wastewater practice across California. This role combines technical expertise with client development to establish a trusted engineering service provider i...
1 week ago
Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
$170K - $200K *
Pioneer the growth of a new Water/Wastewater practice in California, leveraging your extensive engineering expertise and client relationships to drive strategic development, revenue generation, and op...
1 week ago
Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
$170K - $200K *
Transform the future of water/wastewater engineering by leading practice growth, client development, and strategic initiatives across California. Leverage your expertise to establish a trusted enginee...
1 week ago
Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
$170K - $200K *
Grow your career with a leadership role in expanding a Water/Wastewater practice. Drive strategic development, client relationships, and project oversight while leveraging your expertise to establish...
1 week ago
Senior Preconstruction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's leading preconstruction efforts on large-scale water projects. Oversee budgeting, scheduling, and subcontractor management while driving continuous improvement and mentoring team me...
3 weeks ago
Senior Preconstruction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Empower preconstruction excellence by leading large-scale water projects. Oversee budgeting, scheduling, and subcontractor management while mentoring teams to drive continuous improvement and ensure s...
3 weeks ago
Senior Preconstruction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in preconstruction activities for large water projects, overseeing budgeting, scheduling, and subcontractor management. Collaborate with teams to ensure successful project execution an...
3 weeks ago
Senior Preconstruction Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining preconstruction excellence in large water projects. Lead efforts in budgeting, estimating, and subcontractor management while mentoring a skilled team. Drive innovation a...
3 weeks ago
Senior Projeect Manager (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $225K *
Drive project success by leading teams, managing schedules, and ensuring client satisfaction. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver high-quality results while fostering a culture of safety and incl...
2 weeks ago
Senior Projeect Manager (Water/Wastewater)
$110K - $225K *
Lead the charge in managing large-scale construction projects, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder satisfaction. Oversee project planning, risk management, and team development while fostering a...
2 weeks ago
Intermediate Water Resources Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to impactful water resources projects as a project manager, overseeing design and implementation phases. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality outcomes in urban se...
Yesterday
Intermediate Water Resources Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Lead and oversee urban water resources projects, managing all phases from planning to construction. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior staff, and ensure high-quality deliverables...
Yesterday
SENIOR WATER RESOURCES ENGINEER
$105K - $135K *
Manage and mentor a dynamic Water Resources team, overseeing project delivery and ensuring quality control while leveraging engineering expertise to develop innovative drainage solutions for transport...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Manager, Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
$137K - $170K *
Develop and lead complex water/wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring quality and mentoring teams while engaging with clients and enhancing technical capabilities across disciplines...
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.