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 Technical Manager, Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
$137K - $170K *
Empower your career by leading complex water/wastewater infrastructure projects. Drive design, mentor teams, and enhance technical capabilities while collaborating across disciplines to deliver innova...
Yesterday
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Shape the future of water infrastructure by leading complex design projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate with clients to deliver innovative solutions while a...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Empower sustainable infrastructure by leading complex water design projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Drive innovation and excellence in engineering practices while s...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Shape the future of water infrastructure by leading complex design projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Drive innovation and excellence in municipal and industrial engi...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Drive innovative water infrastructure projects by leading design, execution, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure compliance and quality in complex municipal and in...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Oversee the design and execution of complex water infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards while mentoring technical staff and supporting business development effort...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative water infrastructure solutions, overseeing project execution, and mentoring technical teams. Collaborate with clients to ensure compliance with regulations whil...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to lead innovative water infrastructure projects, overseeing design, execution, and quality assurance while mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with regulations. Drive sustaina...
Today
Senior Project Engineer, Water Infrastructure
$120K - $150K *
Transform water infrastructure through innovative design and project leadership. Oversee complex projects, mentor teams, and ensure compliance with regulations while driving business development and t...
Today
Senior Water Resources Project Manager (H&H/Irrigation & Stormwater)
$95K - $140K *
Transform water resources management by leading complex projects in hydrology, stormwater, and irrigation. Guide multidisciplinary teams, ensure client satisfaction, and deliver innovative, science-ba...
4 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$150K - $250K *
Lead the charge in expanding our water/wastewater engineering practice through strategic planning, innovation, and team development. Shape market presence and deliver excellence in project management...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Transform the water/wastewater engineering landscape by leading strategic initiatives, fostering team growth, and enhancing service delivery. Drive innovation and collaboration to elevate market prese...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Elevate our water/wastewater engineering practice by leading strategic initiatives, fostering team growth, and driving innovation. This role offers the chance to shape market presence and enhance tech...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$150K - $250K *
Lead transformative water/wastewater projects, enhancing market presence and strategic planning. Collaborate with teams to ensure design excellence and propel business initiatives in a high-impact rol...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater
$110K - $130K *
Transform the water/wastewater engineering landscape by leading strategic initiatives, fostering team growth, and driving innovation to enhance market presence and technical excellence in a dynamic en...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Mine Water Quality Modeller
$98K - $157K *
Contribute to advanced mine water quality modeling and environmental assessments, leveraging expertise in GoldSim software. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance project outcomes and men...
1 week ago
Senior Mine Water Quality Modeller
$98K - $157K *
Shape the future of mining water quality management by leading complex modeling projects, mentoring junior staff, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure environmental compliance and...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Water Treatment Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by managing complex water/wastewater projects, leading teams, and ensuring client satisfaction. Utilize your expertise in project execution, budgeting, and design to deliver innova...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water Treatment Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful water/wastewater projects by managing budgets, schedules, and client relationships while mentoring junior staff and ensuring high-quality design solutions...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water Treatment Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Empower your career as a Senior Project Manager, leading municipal water and wastewater projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, manage budgets, and ensure quality deliverables while fostering client...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Project Manager - Water Treatment Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Drive successful municipal water/wastewater projects by managing budgets, schedules, and client relationships. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality designs and solutions while mentoring juni...
3 days ago
Water / Wastewater Conveyance Engineer
$90K - $150K *
Contribute to the planning, design, and construction of water/wastewater systems, leading projects and teams while ensuring quality delivery and client satisfaction in a hybrid work environment...
Yesterday
Water / Wastewater Conveyance Engineer
$90K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining water and wastewater engineering by leading innovative projects. Leverage your expertise to enhance systems and manage diverse teams while ensuring quality delivery and c...
Yesterday
Water / Wastewater Conveyance Engineer
$90K - $150K *
Transform the future of water management by leading innovative projects in water/wastewater systems. Leverage your expertise to enhance team capabilities while ensuring quality delivery and client sat...
Yesterday
Water / Wastewater Conveyance Engineer
$90K - $150K *
Lead the charge in managing water/wastewater projects, providing technical expertise and oversight. Collaborate with clients and teams to deliver high-quality designs and solutions for water distribut...
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.