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Water Quality Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Water Quality Specialist

Addison, TX · On-site

$49K - $63K/yr

Public Works & Engineering Division: Water Quality Opening Date: 03/04/2026 Summary Under general supervision, monitors and tests water quality to include backflow prevention and cross connections.

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Water Quality Manager

Cedar Knolls, NJ · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Water Quality Manager Location: Cedar Knolls, NJ (on-site) Status: Full Time (40 hours), Exempt ... This position works closely with operations, engineering, and administrative personnel to support ...

At Hach (www.hach.com), aVeraltocompany, we ensure water quality for people around the world, and ... Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to support continuous improvement The ...

Quality Engineer

Ames, IA · On-site

$53K - $70K/yr

Our founding vision is to make water analysis better-faster, simpler, greener, and more informative ... This position is part of the Quality Engineering team located in Ames, Iowa, and will be on-site.

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Water Quality Engineer information

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$45K

$84K

$119K

How much do water quality engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for water quality engineer in the United States is $84,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $93,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Water Quality Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Quality Engineer, you need a solid background in environmental engineering, chemistry, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s degree and relevant licensure such as a Professional Engineer (PE) certification. Familiarity with water quality modeling software, laboratory analysis tools, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and address complex water quality challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, compliant, and sustainable water resources management.

What is the difference between Water Quality Engineer vs Water Treatment Plant Operator?

AspectWater Quality EngineerWater Treatment Plant Operator
CredentialsBachelor's in environmental engineering or related field; certifications like CWE or WQ certificationHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training; state licensing often required
Work EnvironmentDesign, analyze, and monitor water quality; office and lab settingsOperate and maintain water treatment equipment; plant facilities
Industry UsageDesigning water systems, ensuring compliance, quality testingRunning daily operations of water treatment facilities

Water Quality Engineers focus on designing and analyzing water systems to ensure safety and compliance, often working in offices or labs. Water Treatment Plant Operators handle the daily operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities. Both roles are essential in water management but differ in responsibilities, credentials, and work environments.

What are some common challenges Water Quality Engineers face when working on municipal water projects?

Water Quality Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing regulatory compliance with budget constraints, addressing emerging contaminants, and coordinating among various stakeholders including government agencies, contractors, and the public. They must also adapt to changing environmental regulations and incorporate new technologies to ensure safe and efficient water treatment. Effective communication and project management skills are crucial for navigating these complexities and delivering successful outcomes.

What does a Water Quality Engineer do?

A Water Quality Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems that ensure water is safe and clean for human use and the environment. They analyze water samples, develop treatment methods, and monitor compliance with environmental regulations. Their work often involves collaborating with government agencies, industries, and communities to address water contamination issues and improve water infrastructure.
More about Water Quality Engineer jobs
What states have the most Water Quality Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Water Quality Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Water Quality Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Water Quality Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Water Quality Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $84,039 per year, or $40.4 per hour.
Senior Water Quality Engineer

Senior Water Quality Engineer

Landau Associates Inc.

Seattle, WA • On-site

$150K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Landau Associates is recognized for excellence in the environmental consulting industry. With nine offices in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Coast, we have demonstrated that our focus on collaboration, responsiveness, and quality results in client satisfaction and long-term relationships. As employees, we own the Company, and our ownership culture promotes individual accountability to our clients, each other, and our community.

We are seeking a senior-level Environmental, Civil, or Chemical Engineer to support our existing industrial stormwater and wastewater practice, including permit compliance support and treatment design. This role offers a flexible hybrid work schedule in any one of five office locations (Seattle, Tacoma, Kingston, or Olympia, Washington or Portland, Oregon).

Key Responsibilities Include:

  • Task and project management in support of projects involving:
    • Compliance with the Washington ISGP and Oregon 1200-Z industrial stormwater general permits including SWPPP preparation, stormwater monitoring, and BMP selection
    • Leading technical evaluation of data and developing recommendations for permit compliance
    • Assessing treatment alternatives for pollutants (e.g. metals, suspended solids, organics, nutrients, emerging contaminants) to meet stormwater permit benchmarks and wastewater pretreatment limits
    • Design and implementation of stormwater treatment systems and/or industrial wastewater pretreatment systems, with a demonstrated understanding of the characteristics of pollutant parameters and aquatic chemistry
    • Industrial wastewater discharge permitting and compliance, including State Waste Discharge Permits and Water Pollution Control Facility permits
    • Developing and certifying engineering plans and specifications
    • Developing sampling and analysis plans for facility stormwater characterization
    • Pollutant source identification and source control
  • Developing connections with current and potential future clients, identifying and pursuing work opportunities
  • Managing projects, including developing proposals, managing contracts, tracking budgets, invoicing, managing change, communicating with project team, regulators, and clients, and providing other administrative support as required
  • Supervising and training junior and mid-level staff

This position is available for the candidate who has:

  • Bachelor's or Master’s degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering with related coursework in hydraulics and hydrology, environmental chemistry, and/or wastewater treatment
  • 10+ years of direct experience in major job duties listed above
  • Demonstrated success with client engagement and business development
  • A proven track record of managing projects, establishing and being accountable for project deadlines, profitability, and budget
  • Registration as a PE in WA and/or OR

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a collaborative project-team environment, interchangeably supporting co-workers and engaging co-workers’ support to meet the specific needs of a wide range of projects. Landau Associates is committed to quality, collaboration, and responsiveness, and seeks candidates who share the same values.

Landau Associates offers an excellent compensation and benefits package in an environment that promotes personal growth and professional advancement. The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $205,000. Compensation is based on a variety of factors, including education, experience, performance, location, and internal equity. As part of our compensation program, we review and update our salary ranges at least annually. We provide a wide variety of benefits to support our employees and their families. Details can be found on the Careers page of our website.

Qualified applicants please visit our Careers page at http://www.landauinc.com/careers/ to apply online.

We are an equal opportunity employer.