N. Wayne Hale Jr. (born July 5, 1954) is a former NASA engineer. Previously a flight director and space shuttle program manager, Hale served as NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Strategic Partnerships prior to his retirement on July 31, 2010. Born in Clovis, New Mexico, Hale earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in 1976, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1978.