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.
$110K - $130K *
Design and lead critical electrical engineering activities across diverse industrial projects, ensuring quality and timely project delivery. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to achieve integra...
Reposted 1 week ago
Water/Wastewater Production Manager
$80K - $95K *
Champion operational excellence by overseeing water production facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations, optimizing processes, and developing future leaders while engaging with the community a...
1 week ago
Site/Civil Stormwater Engineer
$87K - $130K *
Support the delivery of stormwater and civil engineering projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while leading a junior team. Engage with clients to enhance project outcomes and mainta...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Site/Civil Stormwater Engineer
$87K - $130K *
Shape the future of stormwater management by leading design projects, ensuring compliance with regulations, and enhancing team efficiency. Collaborate with clients and junior engineers to deliver high...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Environmental Geoscience - Compliance Project Manager
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to leading environmental projects, managing multidisciplinary teams, and delivering innovative solutions for clients across various sectors. Elevate your career while fost...
3 weeks ago
Senior Roadway Design Technical Expert
$139K - $208K *
Transform complex transportation projects by leading innovative roadway designs, guiding teams, and ensuring compliance with engineering standards across various project types and clients, driving the...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Roadway Design Technical Expert
$139K - $208K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative roadway design projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate across disciplines and mentor a team to deliver impactful transportation sol...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Help us deliver innovative engineering solutions across diverse projects. You'll lead investigations, perform analyses, and ensure compliance while collaborating with clients and teams to drive projec...
4 weeks ago
Principal Hydrogeologist (CAN)
$180K - $230K *
Empower your career by leading hydrogeology projects, mentoring staff, and enhancing client relationships. This senior role requires technical expertise in mine water management and groundwater analys...
4 weeks ago
Senior Geotechnical Dam Engineer
$160K - $175K *
Join a team that's committed to innovation and technical excellence in geotechnical engineering. Drive dam safety projects, manage client relationships, and mentor junior staff while contributing to s...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $165K *
Unlock potential by leading hydro turbine design and engineering projects, optimizing asset performance, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enh...
4 weeks ago
Senior Air Quality Engineer or Scientist
$96K - $144K *
Transform your career by leading air quality permitting projects, mentoring junior staff, and enhancing client relationships in a dynamic environment focused on industrial, energy, and commercial sect...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $100K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative infrastructure solutions. Collaborate on diverse projects, providing essential support in planning, design, and construction management while ensu...
6 days ago
$80K - $100K *
Drive your career with impactful infrastructure projects, collaborating on design, planning, and construction oversight. Engage with diverse teams to enhance community development and ensure project s...
1 week ago
Environmental Engineer or Scientist
$75K - $90K *
Optimize environmental assessments and remediation projects by collaborating with project managers and clients. Engage in fieldwork, data analysis, and report preparation to ensure compliance with reg...
2 days ago
Environmental Engineer or Scientist
$74K - $123K *
Help us advance environmental projects by conducting assessments, managing investigations, and preparing reports. Collaborate with teams to deliver effective remediation solutions while ensuring compl...
1 week ago
Environmental Engineer or Scientist
$74K - $123K *
Partner with us to drive impactful environmental projects, collaborating with teams on assessments, remediation, and monitoring. Utilize your expertise to manage tasks, engage clients, and deliver hig...
1 week ago
$112K - $182K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior HVAC Engineer, leading innovative projects and mentoring junior staff in a dynamic environment. Drive impactful HVAC solutions for municipal and industrial facilities...
1 week ago
$112K - $182K *
Transform the future of HVAC design by leading innovative projects and mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver efficient solutions for municipal and industrial...
1 week ago
$112K - $182K *
Optimize HVAC solutions for municipal and industrial projects. Lead design, manage client relationships, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and within budget...
1 week ago
$112K - $182K *
Champion innovative HVAC solutions for municipal and industrial projects. Lead design efforts, mentor junior engineers, and manage client relationships while ensuring projects are delivered safely, ef...
1 week ago
Senior Roadway Engineer, Technical Manager
$100K - $120K *
Transform your career by leading innovative civil engineering projects. Collaborate with experts to enhance infrastructure design and execution while mentoring junior team members in a dynamic, team-f...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Empower project success by leading mechanical design for complex healthcare and commercial projects. Manage full project cycles, ensuring quality and compliance while collaborating with clients and cr...
1 week ago
Senior Facilities Professional
$88K - $105K *
Transform the landscape of building envelope systems by leading forensic investigations to diagnose and prevent failures in waterproofing, roofing, cladding, and glazing, while ensuring compliance and...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Environmental Project Manager
$125K - $150K *
Champion innovative environmental solutions by leading complex projects focused on CERCLA investigations and PFAS remediation. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure safety, compliance, and success...
Reposted 6 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.