His research focuses on the transportation infrastructure realm, with special emphasis on roadway sustainability, construction, pavements, materials and online training. Prior to his academic career, he worked for the consulting company Perteet as a transportation design engineer. He also served as a nuclear submarine officer in the Navy. Muench is chairman of the board of the Greenroads Foundation, a nonprofit that aids communities and the environment by recognizing sustainable transportation projects and promoting sustainability education for transportation infrastructure. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Washington.