David Mueller
Rancho Cordova
Summary
Water Resources Engineering Leader with over 25 years of experience in hydrologic and hydraulic project management, strategic planning, and team leadership. Expertise in watershed management, drainage design, stormwater best management practices, and FEMA compliance. Proficient in program management, quality assurance, budgeting, and client engagement, driving business development and securing major contracts.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Water Resources Engineer
HDR, Inc
Sacramento
08.2023 - Current
- Lead strategic planning and execution of water resources projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives and regulatory standards.
- Managed multidisciplinary teams, mentoring members and overseeing technical aspects of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS).
- Directed QA/QC processes, controlled budgets and schedules, and coordinated communications with subconsultants and clients.
Senior Engineer
Wood Rodgers, Inc
Sacramento
10.2018 - 06.2023
- Directed hydraulic analyses of bridges, culverts, levees, and reservoirs using HEC-RAS, producing hydrologic models with HEC-HMS to inform project decisions.
- Managed scopes, schedules, and budgets for water resources projects, ensuring timely delivery of technical reports and design documents.
- Led public presentations and regulatory meetings, supervising junior engineers to maintain compliance with QA/QC standards and enhance team performance.
Surface Water Lead, Northern California
Michael Baker International
Rancho Cordova
01.2016 - 10.2018
- Led business development and strategic planning initiatives; negotiated contracts and strengthened client relationships to enhance project success.
- Coordinated proposal development and marketing strategies; aligned goals across multidisciplinary teams to ensure cohesive project execution.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
Senior Engineer / Project Manager
WRECO
Walnut Creek
06.2011 - 01.2016
- Led engineering projects from conception through implementation at WRECO.
- Directed civil design and hydrologic/hydraulic studies, prepared PS&E, and managed QA/QC processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Developed design specifications for infrastructure improvements and maintenance initiatives.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design innovative solutions.
Senior Flood and Drought Policy Advisor
International Relief and Development
Kabul
07.2010 - 12.2010
- Developed Afghanistan flood and drought policies through regulatory, financial, and institutional analyses; supported IWRM/IFM and multipurpose dam projects to enhance water management.
- Analyzed regulations to ensure compliance with international standards.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to gather insights on policy impacts.
Project Manager, Flood Control Division
G. C. Wallace, Inc
Las Vegas
04.2005 - 06.2009
- Prepared comprehensive technical reports, designed erosion control solutions (riprap, vegetative stabilization), and developed effective flooding mitigation strategies while coordinating internal deliverables.
- Developed hydrologic and hydraulic models (HEC-1/HEC-RAS) and conducted GIS-based watershed analyses and field inspections to assess flood risks.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver multiple projects on time and within budget.
- Coordinated project schedules and resource allocation for efficient workflow management.
- Facilitated regular meetings to discuss project progress and address potential issues.
Civil Engineering Technician
Brown and Caldwell
St. Paul
01.2003 - 04.2004
- Created AutoCAD/ArcView workflow for converting City of St. Paul Public Works as-builts into CMMS database, streamlining data management.
- Supported engineers in preparing technical reports and project documentation.
- Assisted engineers in preparing technical reports and project documentation.
Environmental Engineer
Wenck Associates
St. Paul
04.1999 - 12.2002
- Designed sustainable solutions for environmental impact assessments and remediation projects.
- Coordinated with federal, state, and local agencies to support remediation designs and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Implemented environmental management systems, enhancing compliance through preparation of QA documentation and hazardous waste manifests/LDR notifications.
Civil Engineer / Production Coordinator
Royal Concrete Pipe
Tracy
06.1996 - 04.1999
- Utilized AutoCAD for civil designs and assessed production orders and inventory to confirm resource availability.
- Collaborated with project managers to ensure design adherence and compliance.
- Advanced to production coordinator; designed erosion control systems, produced shop drawings, and scheduled precast production to ensure timely project delivery.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN06.1996
Skills
- Hydrologic modeling
- Hydraulic analysis
- Hydraulic engineering design
- Stormwater management
- Erosion control
- Geospatial analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Quality assurance processes
- Risk assessment
- Budget management
- Proposal writing
- Project coordination
- Technical presentations
- Engineering design tools
- Client management
Certification
Registered Civil Engineer, California
Projects
- Napa Flood Control Increment 2, Napa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, Technical Lead, Responsible for lateral erosion using HEC-RAS/BSTEM, scour and scour countermeasures per HEC-18 and HEC-23.
- Florida C23 Reservoir, South Florida Water Management District, Technical Lead, Responsible for Hydraulic modeling of Reservoir Outfall and Outfall Canals.
- City of Sacramento DMP Area 151 153 Project, City of Sacramento, Project Manager, Oversaw XPSWMM modeling, alternatives analysis, SDMP production.
- Iao Stream, USACE, Technical Lead, Responsible for design of Saint Anthony Falls (SAF) Stilling Basin and riprap basin.
- California Aqueduct Subsidence Program, California DWR, Technical Advisor/Senior Engineer, Oversaw hydraulic modeling and alternatives analysis.
- Dry Creek Watershed Stormwater Management and Groundwater Recharge, Stanislaus County, HEC-HMS and 2D HEC-RAS to evaluate flood mitigation and recharge sites; authored technical memoranda and presented findings.
- NAPA NVIP Floodwall Review, Napa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, Reviewed plans/specs/calcs and reports for consistency with 2008 CLOMR, FEMA and USACE standards; delivered certification and O&M/engineering reviews.
- Arastradero Road Storm Damage, Santa Clara County R&A, Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis; site visits; assisted with emergency repair design.
- Upper York Creek Restoration, City of St. Helena, Supported partial dam removal to restore fish passage and riparian/aquatic habitat.
- Novato Creek Watershed Hydraulic Study, Marin County, HEC-HMS inflows; 2D modeling with FLO-2D, HEC-RAS, and PCSWMM; capacity evaluation and alternatives analysis.
- Novato Storm Drainage Master Plan, City of Novato, PM, Citywide drainage model (InfoWorks ICM) and geodatabase; prepared SDMP; QA/QC; subcontractor coordination.
- San Ramon Civil & Survey On-Call, City of San Ramon, Peer review and updated H&H for Norris and Oak Creeks per Contra Costa County standards; HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS development/calibration; additional plan/SWPPP reviews.
Personal Information
Title: Engineering Manager – Water Resources
Timeline
Senior Water Resources Engineer
HDR, Inc
08.2023 - Current
Senior Engineer
Wood Rodgers, Inc
10.2018 - 06.2023
Surface Water Lead, Northern California
Michael Baker International
01.2016 - 10.2018
Senior Engineer / Project Manager
WRECO
06.2011 - 01.2016
Senior Flood and Drought Policy Advisor
International Relief and Development
07.2010 - 12.2010
Project Manager, Flood Control Division
G. C. Wallace, Inc
04.2005 - 06.2009
Civil Engineering Technician
Brown and Caldwell
01.2003 - 04.2004
Environmental Engineer
Wenck Associates
04.1999 - 12.2002
Civil Engineer / Production Coordinator
Royal Concrete Pipe
06.1996 - 04.1999
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
University of Minnesota Twin Cities