Small relieved Vice Adm. James Downey , who had led the command since January 2024 and is set to retire after 40 years of service to the Navy. Small most recently led the Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers beginning in June 2025, while also serving as the command’s chief engineer and deputy commander for naval systems engineering since June 2024. He previously served as major program manager of the Unmanned Maritime Systems program and held leadership roles in the Advanced Undersea Systems Program Office and the Columbia-class Submarine Program Office. NAVSEA said Small facilitated coordination between NAVSEA engineering organizations and the warfare centers, serving as a link between the technical community and operational forces. He previously served as director of in-service submarines and the industrial base, and as program executive officer for both strategic submarines and undersea warfare systems.