Precision Manufacturing

Super-delicate semiconductors to super-rugged communications equipment for extreme environments. Precisely machined aerospace components to precisely crafted musical instruments. Advanced polymers to advanced automation systems.
They’re all made right here on the Central Coast.

Spanning family-owned outfits, federal contractors, divisions of multinational corporations and publicly traded companies, these high-tech facilities rely on skilled technicians and cutting-edge equipment to turn out highly engineered products that power modern life.

A significant segment of Central Coast manufacturers serve the aerospace industry, with numerous NASA contracts, including Next Intent‘s work on every Mars Rover for the last two decades, Deployable Space Systems’ rollout solar arrays, Umbra’s ultra high-resolution radar microsatellites and ES Aero‘s development of the X-57 Maxwell electric plane.

Connecting with customers and suppliers is seamless, thanks to the region’s strategic location between California’s metro areas along the coastal 101 highway, while top-ranked universities, highly rated community colleges and innovative manufacturing initiatives churn out a supply of engineers and skilled labor.

6,000

jobs

81

companies

$860M

industry

The cross-cutting industry making moves in our region

Stellar manufactures small systems for major missions

Landmark Google Quantum AI campus close to home

Nexus Photonics + UCSB team up on photonics innovation

The research, featured in the journal Nature, creates visible-to-near-infrared-light lasers on silicon chips, paving the way for scientific and consumer applications

Mantis Composites making waves with 3D-printed carbon fiber parts

The company designs and prints highly engineered aerospace and defense parts for customers including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Goleta-based semiconductor company uplists to Nasdaq

Transphorm designs and manufactures high performance and high reliability GaN semiconductors for high voltage power conversion applications.

Google unveils Quantum AI campus

The Santa Barbara campus brings together the quantum data center, fabrication facility, and cutting-edge research.

“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 workforce here is really dynamic, and we have a lot of committed people that enjoy living in the area. We stay here because of the continuing environment that we all want to live in. And the fact that we’re able to work together with other companies like us in one of the most unique areas of the country.”

Randy Berg Human Resources Lead, Transphorm

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.

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.

People examining manufacturing equipment

SLO Partners

The nonprofit SLO Partners, winner of a 2020 CA Partnership for Industry and Education award, provides industry-specific training through its precision manufacturing bootcamp then connects employers to candidates through talent matching and apprenticeship programs.

Manufacturing technology consulting

The nonprofit California Manufacturing Technology Consulting provides an array of programs and services to help manufacturers big and small with supply chain, workforce, exports, innovation and beyond.