Richard Wear serves as the acting chief of the Mechanical Engineering Branch at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He supports the Artemis II mission, which aims to send astronauts around the Moon.
Wear has 15 years of experience at NASA Stennis, primarily supporting propulsion test operations at the E Test Complex. This complex features four stands with 12 test cells, capable of component and engine testing for both NASA and commercial aerospace companies. The unique high-pressure systems at the complex attract customers from across the country.
Wear's educational background includes bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama. He began his career in 2006 at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility as a contractor, working on thermal analysis for the space shuttle external tank program.
In 2010, Wear moved to NASA Stennis to focus on thermal analysis, later expanding his expertise to fluid analysis and thermodynamics. He continues to contribute technical analysis and support testing in his current supervisory role. Wear describes NASA Stennis as a "hands-on" center where employees and customers have opportunities for development.
Wear's career progression at NASA Stennis includes advancing from junior analyst in 2010 to thermal-fluid subject matter expert in 2018, and then to deputy chief in 2022, before becoming acting chief in March 2025. He emphasizes the mission-focused and team-oriented culture at the center.
Wear also trains students and advises future engineers to prioritize hard work, persistence, and attitude. He recommends researching areas of unknown knowledge and seeking assistance from others.