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Water Quality Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arcadis is looking for a Project Water Quality Engineer to join our National Resilience Water Team in Hanover, Maryland! This role will act as a technical resource in the areas of water quality and ...

Project Water Quality Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$71K - $92K/yr

Arcadis is looking for a Project Water Quality Engineer to join our National Resilience Water Team in Hanover, Maryland! This role will act as a technical resource in the areas of water quality and ...

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 ...

Water Quality Control Technician

WA · On-site

$7.6K - $9.2K/mo

... engineering services to our citizens involving street transportation and traffic control, storm ... Coordinates the City's Water Quality Program to ensure compliance with state and federal ...

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.

Quality Engineer

Ames, IA · On-site

$53K - $70K/yr

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 ...

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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 Jul 2, 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or executive positions, or possessing rare expertise and certifications.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or certain senior roles in software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and working in high-paying industries or leadership positions.

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 designs, implements, and monitors systems to ensure water meets safety and environmental standards. They analyze water samples, develop treatment processes, and use tools like laboratory testing and data analysis to maintain water quality in various settings such as treatment plants or environmental projects.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. Management roles like engineering managers or directors can also reach or exceed this salary level, particularly in high-demand industries or large organizations.
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:
Infographic showing various Water Quality Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,039 per year, or $40.4 per hour.
Project Water Quality Engineer

Project Water Quality Engineer

Arcadis

Hanover, MD

$70K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Arcadis rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

62nd of 357 rated engineering


Job description

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description:

Arcadis is looking for a Project Water Quality Engineer to join our National Resilience Water Team in Hanover, Maryland! 

This role will act as a technical resource in the areas of water quality and water treatment and support our national Lead and Copper and PFAS team in proactively providing regulatory guidance and technical direction for drinking water compliance.

Role accountabilities:

In this role, you will support national leaders in the implementation of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations with a focus on water quality management and emerging contaminants, including PFAS and disinfection byproducts (DBPs). You will contribute to strategic pursuits, programs, and projects addressing complex water quality challenges, including services such as source water and finished water characterization, sampling and monitoring programs, treatment optimization, corrosion control, lead service line inventory and replacement planning, and public communication and outreach.

You will play a key role in advancing PFAS and emerging contaminant initiatives, supporting utilities in regulatory readiness, risk evaluation, and implementation of treatment and management strategies. This includes assisting with pilot testing, technology evaluations (e.g., GAC, IX, membrane treatment), and data-driven decision-making to address evolving regulatory requirements.

Moreover, the responsibilities include conducting in-depth technical research on alternative water quality solutions, analyzing water quality policies and regulations, preparing project scopes, work plans, budgets, and schedules, and assigning work tasks effectively. You will also be responsible for mentoring junior staff members, overseeing tasks of different complexities, communicating technical information to colleagues and clients, and supporting marketing efforts and client relations through technical expertise.

Furthermore, the role involves regular submission of abstracts for drinking water conferences, with preparation and delivery of presentations if the abstracts are accepted. The job may also require travel for project site visits, client meetings, or attending conferences.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required Qualifications:

  • 5 years of relevant experience to include water quality, regulations, research
  • Master's degree in engineering and  Engineering-In-Training (EIT) license

Key Skills and Attributes:

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with clients and regulatory agencies in the areas of Water Quality, Emerging Contaminants, and Disinfectant By-Products. 
  • Prior experience in utilizing digital tools and data analysis to drive prioritization and decision making.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent tasks.
  • Strong focus and attention to detail.
  • Strong critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 7 years of engineering experience focused on water quality, treatment, and regulatory compliance.
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree and Professional Engineer license preferred
  • Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to drinking water compliance.
  • Active participation in Water Quality, Emerging Contaminants, and PFAS conferences/associations at the state and/or national level via committee memberships, presentations, and/or association leadership roles. 

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It's why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You'll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you'll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement.  We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $134,000/year. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.


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About Arcadis

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our work with clients has a direct impact on people's lives and on the planet. We make moving, living and belonging in cities safer, more resilient and more sustainable. By partnering with our clients as responsible custodians of our earth's resources, we can create a sustainable planet. We continue to think of new ways to make positive impacts and create better experiences for people; data driven and digital solutions have become part of the Arcadis DNA. Working together with clients and using techniques like design thinking, we can get to the heart of our clients' most pressing challenges and work together to solve them.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Highlands Ranch, CO, US