Precision Manufacturing

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From nanomaterials and semiconductors to advanced propulsion and precision optics, the Central Coast is a national hub for high-complexity, high-value manufacturing.

01 Global R&D Hub

Global R&D Hub

Home to the NSF Quantum Foundry, Google and Microsoft’s quantum campuses, and world-leading R&D at UC Santa Barbara, the region hosts a network of sensing, semiconductor, and nanotech firms.

02 Cross-sector innovation

Cross-sector innovation engine

Regional expertise in microfabrication, photonics, sensors, and materials science fuels breakthrough applications across aerospace, autonomous systems, climate tech, clean energy, medical devices, agtech and beyond.

03 From Lab to Line

Lab to line capability

Top-ranked public engineering programs, high-quality cleanroom access and growing portfolio of technician training programs provide “prototyping-to-production” capabilities enabling faster commercialization of advanced technologies.

two students surrounded by photonics equipment

Global R&D Hub

Home to the NSF Quantum Foundry, Google and Microsoft’s quantum campuses, and world-leading R&D at UC Santa Barbara, the region hosts a network of sensing, semiconductor, and nanotech firms.

Cross-sector innovation engine

Lab to line capability

$2.5B

regional industry

1st

quantum materials center in nation

10,000

jobs

The cross-cutting industry making moves in our region

Stellar manufactures small systems for major missions

Landmark Google Quantum AI campus close to home

Central Coast Precision Manufacturers Make Headlines

“The manufacturing industry here is not only growing but booming. Our business has doubled over the last year and a half.”

Anthony Cash Manufacturing Lead, ES Aero

“It was important for us to remain in the Central Coast region, which has nurtured our rapid growth with the best technical talent pool we could hope to find.”

Ty Safreno Chief Executive and Technical Officer, Trust Automation

“Most people who live here really don’t know how much incredible high tech manufacturing we have in our area. This is a world class center for innovation and the quality of entrepreneurship in our area is outstanding.”

Demis D John, PhD Process Group Manager, UC Santa Barbara Nanofabrication Facility

“The region’s research in these areas has informed quite a bit of invention globally.”

Chad Shearer Research Director, Global Institute on Innovation Districts

“We’re focused on the Central Coast as a research and innovation hub for developing quantum computers.”

Monica Hansen Head of Technical Operations, Google Quantum AI

ASSETS + RESOURCES

Cal Poly

A top 10 engineering program with specialties including industrial, materials and manufacturing engineering, Cal Poly provides top talent and partners with industry on research, prototyping and product development. It also offers access to state-of-the-art instruments and testing equipment through its fee-for-service program.

UC-Santa Barbara

Ranked among the top engineering schools in the world, the UCSB offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in materials and mechanical engineering. The materials graduate program has ranked #1 in the nation among public universities, with 11 affiliated research centers and a shared instrumentation network.

Professor shows a student something in a factory

Community colleges

Cuesta College’s engineering and technology program offers an associate’s degree in manufacturing engineering as well as several certificate programs. Allan Hancock College offers machining and manufacturing technology as well as welding and electronics technology.

NSF Quantum Foundry

The National Science Foundation Quantum Foundry at UC Santa Barbara is the nation’s first quantum materials research center.

Learn more

NanoFabrication Facility

World-class cleanroom facilities staffed by trained experts and available for use by the private sector at UC Santa Barbara.

California NanoSystems Institute

With locations at UC Santa Barbara and UCLA, the interdisciplinary research hub specialized in advanced materials, sustainability, complex systems and more, as well as start-up resources and seed funding.

See the Innovations

AIM Photonics

The American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics’s West Coast headquarters is located at UCSB’s world-renowned Institute for Energy Efficiency, accelerating development of production-ready prototypes.