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Waste Management Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

Woocheen

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

$125K - $135K/yr

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

Sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

$125K - $135K/yr

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

Quala

Waste Management Leader

Tampa, FL · On-site +1

$120K - $140K/yr

The Waste Management Leader will support all our lines of businesses by managing their hazardous ... Partner with operations, safety, and engineering personnel to ensure work practices and/or ...

sealaska

Waste Management Manager

Los Alamos, NM

Education and Experience: • BS in an engineering or environmental science field required, or a high school diploma or equivalent may be accepted based on experience in waste management. • 5-8 ...

Quala

Waste Management Leader

Houston, TX · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Waste Management Leader will support all our lines of businesses by managing their hazardous ... Partner with operations, safety, and engineering personnel to ensure work practices and/or ...

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Waste Management Engineer information

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$31K

$102.9K

$165.5K

How much do waste management engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for waste management engineer in the United States is $102,900.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,000.00 and $129,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a waste management engineer?

Waste Management Engineers are professionals who design, implement, and oversee systems for handling, processing, and disposing of waste materials safely and efficiently. Their work helps minimize the environmental impact of waste and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. They may work with solid waste, hazardous materials, recycling processes, and landfill management, often collaborating with other engineers, environmental scientists, and government agencies.

What does a waste management engineer do?

A waste management engineer focuses on the process of disposing of or treating waste materials. In this role, your duties may include finding ways to limit environmental impact with recycling, designing an efficient method for waste disposal, and addressing problems related to pollution, contamination, and environmental regulations. You may also specialize in an area of waste management. For example, some waste management engineers design or improve systems for the treatment of wastewater while other professionals may focus on the processes and procedures for the safe disposal of toxic or hazardous materials. You can find employment with a municipal or state agency, a consulting firm, a manufacturing company, a nonprofit agency, or a recycling company.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a waste management engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Waste Management Engineer, you need a solid background in environmental engineering, waste treatment processes, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering. Familiarity with waste management software, GIS tools, and certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) or relevant environmental credentials are often required. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this field. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable waste handling and compliance with environmental standards.

What are some common challenges waste management engineers face when implementing new waste reduction initiatives?

Waste Management Engineers often encounter challenges such as resistance to change from stakeholders, budget constraints, and navigating complex regulatory requirements when introducing new waste reduction strategies. They must balance environmental goals with operational feasibility, working closely with facility managers, local authorities, and sometimes the public to ensure initiatives are both effective and compliant. Strong communication and project management skills are essential to address concerns, secure buy-in, and monitor the progress of implemented solutions.

What is the difference between Waste Management Engineer vs Environmental Engineer?

AspectWaste Management EngineerEnvironmental Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field; certifications like PE or CEMBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentWaste treatment facilities, landfills, recycling plantsResearch labs, consulting firms, government agencies, field sites
Industry UsageFocus on waste collection, treatment, disposal, and recyclingBroader environmental issues including pollution control, sustainability, and resource management

Waste Management Engineers primarily focus on waste treatment, disposal, and recycling processes within waste facilities. Environmental Engineers have a broader scope, addressing pollution control, environmental compliance, and sustainability initiatives. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in related industries, but their core responsibilities and work environments differ.

How much do waste management engineers make?

Waste management engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Professionals in this field often hold a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related discipline and may pursue certifications to enhance their earning potential.
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Waste Management Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Waste Management Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,900 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Waste Management Specialist / Engineer

Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation

Idaho Falls, ID

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Overview:

The Waste Management Specialist is the lead responsible engineer for characterization, handling, storage, and disposition of all waste streams generated at Lightbridge's pilot HALEU metallic fuel fabrication facility. This includes low-level radioactive waste, mixed waste, hazardous chemical waste, and uranium-bearing scrap/process waste generated during melting, extrusion, and machining operations. The Waste Management Specialist ensures waste is managed in compliance with NRC, EPA/RCRA, DOT, and state requirements from point of generation through final disposition and works closely with Radiological Controls and the Nuclear Facility Manager to minimize waste generation and support material recovery where practical.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as lead responsible engineer for the facility waste management program, covering radioactive, mixed, and hazardous chemical waste streams generated across melting, extrusion, and machining operations.
  • Develop and maintain the facility Waste Management Plan and waste acceptance criteria, including waste characterization, segregation, and minimization procedures.
  • Own waste characterization activities (radiological and chemical), including sampling, analysis coordination, and recordkeeping to support disposal facility waste acceptance requirements.
  • Manage uranium-bearing scrap and process residue streams, coordinating with Nuclear Safeguards on MC&A implications and with Operations on potential material recovery/recycle paths.
  • Coordinate packaging, labeling, and manifesting of waste shipments in accordance with DOT hazardous materials regulations and, where applicable, 10 CFR Part 71 transportation requirements.
  • Maintain relationships and contracts with permitted low-level radioactive waste and hazardous waste disposal facilities; track waste inventory from generation through offsite shipment.
  • Ensure compliance with RCRA (hazardous waste) and applicable state environmental regulations for waste storage areas, including satellite accumulation and less-than-90-day storage requirements.
  • Support facility safety basis and process design reviews to identify and minimize waste generation as new process lines are added or scaled.
  • Lead waste-related incident investigations (e.g., spills, mislabeled waste, storage violations), perform causal analysis, and track corrective actions.
  • Develop and deliver waste handling training for operations and maintenance personnel; maintain waste management procedures and recordkeeping systems.

Required Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in radioactive and/or hazardous waste management at an NRC- or DOE-licensed facility or comparable industrial setting.
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of RCRA hazardous waste regulations and DOT hazardous materials shipping requirements.
  • Familiarity with low-level radioactive waste characterization, packaging, and disposal facility waste acceptance criteria.
  • Experience preparing waste management plans, procedures, and regulatory recordkeeping.
  • Strong cross-functional coordination skills, with ability to work closely with Radiological Controls, Safeguards, and Operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience managing uranium-bearing scrap or process waste streams in a fuel fabrication or metals processing environment.
  • Certification or advanced training in radioactive waste management (e.g., DOE/NRC-recognized waste management training programs).
  • Experience coordinating with commercial LLRW disposal facilities (e.g., Clive, UT or equivalent) and negotiating waste acceptance/disposal contracts.
  • Familiarity with material recovery/recycle processes for uranium alloy scrap.

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