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Waste Management Engineer Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Solid Waste Lead

Columbus, OH · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

Preferred Qualifications * 7 years experience, waste management/design, civil site engineering, or ... related experience preferred. * Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Public ...

Solid Waste Lead

Columbus, OH · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

Preferred Qualifications * 7 years experience, waste management/design, civil site engineering, or ... related experience preferred. * Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Public ...

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Showing results 1-20

Waste Management Engineer information

See Ohio salary details

$29.5K

$97.8K

$157.3K

How much do waste management engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for waste management engineer in Ohio is $97,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,300.00 and $122,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 job categories do people searching Waste Management Engineer jobs in Ohio look for? The top searched job categories for Waste Management Engineer jobs in Ohio are:
Infographic showing various Waste Management Engineer job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,826 per year, or $47 per hour.

Solid Waste Lead

HDR

Columbus, OH • On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


HDR rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 443 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
Our Waste Market Sector seeks a candidate who will lead the development and implementation of waste business strategies for our Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Delaware Waste Sector in coordination with the Waste Market Sector global leadership and local operational leadership. We have an opportunity for a planner, scientist, or engineer to join and lead the waste section of our rapidly growing Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Delaware team.
Reporting to the PA/OH/WV/DE Resources Business Group Manager to advance the waste practice through solid waste specific service lines (e.g., facilities, landfills, organics, energy from waste, planning, sustainability, etc.). The primary duties of this position include all aspects of the industry including familiarity and experience with engineering, project management, project pursuits, and client relationship management for projects primarily focused on the municipal solid waste (MSW), waste diversion/sustainability, and solid waste planning industries, with an emphasis on system planning, analyses, design, construction management, strategic planning, and permitting/regulatory compliance. Specific duties will include business development, proposal development, planning, design or design management and permitting of waste systems and waste management.
In addition to leading and building a waste team, the Solid Waste Lead will function as a client manager and project manager on mid-size to large projects and is expected to demonstrate a history of progressive experience effectively leading similar scale projects. This person will be responsible for assisting team leadership in sustaining and growing client relationships and organizing and contributing to overall business development opportunities. A core component of this will be supporting upcoming project opportunities and participating in the project pursuit and proposal development, including developing scopes of work and budgets.
Primary Responsibilities
The primary duties of the Solid Waste Lead are to conduct, supervise or direct a multitude of waste projects. In this role, we'll count on you to:
  • Plan, direct and monitor all aspects of multidiscipline projects or medium-sized projects with high degree of strategic complexity, typically involving a large project staff.
  • Establish client relations and be involved in business development, marketing, contractual, design and production meetings.
  • Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project development to complete documents on schedule.
  • Implement QA/QC procedures.
  • Work on a wide variety of MSW, planning, or facilities related projects including but not limited to landfills, compost facilities, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, solid waste management plans, sustainability plans, and organics facilities.
  • Work with a team in preparation of project deliverables including strategic planning, feasibility studies, waste management plans, engineering design reports, construction drawings, technical specifications, cost estimates and construction schedules with support from HDR's national practice leads.
  • Participate in meetings with clients and regulatory agencies to resolve technical issues and negotiate compliance actions.
  • Will also serve as a consultant and supervisor of waste management projects as needed.
  • Work independently on technical tasks involving data analysis, interpreting results, and preparing reports, plans and specifications.
  • Delegate and supervise junior waste staff on waste projects and staff of professionals and technicians.
  • Train and mentor personnel as established by strategic plans.

Preferred Qualifications
  • 7 years experience, waste management/design, civil site engineering, or related experience preferred.
  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Public Policy, Environmental/Civil Engineering, or related sciences discipline.
  • Demonstrated understanding of client relationship management and evidence of experience interacting directly with clients highly preferred.
  • Proficient with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Teams, OneNote, etc.). Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D is a plus.
  • Must be detail-oriented and a team player with great communication, writing, analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in client marketing and proposal development.
  • Demonstrated experience in project development and execution in the Public and Private sectors.
  • Proven leadership and Project Management skills required.
  • Previous experience in general the waste industry
  • Experience mentoring junior staff.
    Keywords: Solid Waste Management, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Waste Collection & Disposal Systems, Landfill Design & Operations, Sanitary Landfill Engineering, Waste Collection, Transfer Station, Civil Engineer, Civil Engineering, Disposal, Landfill Management, Routing, Asset Management
    #LI-EH1

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
  • A minimum of 7 years experience
  • Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
  • Strong communication and listening skills
  • Ability to handle multiple assignments
  • Good leadership and organizational skills
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917