Sandia National Laboratories is dramatically expanding its advanced manufacturing prowess with the February 12th opening of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation – CAMINO. This new, unclassified hub will expedite the design, prototyping, and manufacturing of vital components for the nuclear security enterprise. CAMINO consolidates several cutting-edge capabilities under one roof, embracing digital tools, artificial intelligence, and innovative practices to accelerate solutions. “CAMINO is a framework for building advanced manufacturing collaborations,” says Associate Labs Director Steve Girrens, “It will open new design options, increase performance and make possible what once wasn’t, while delivering products faster at lower cost.” Strategically located in the Sandia Science & Technology Park, CAMINO promises to forge stronger partnerships and rapidly translate research into real-world impact.

CAMINO Facility Supports Nuclear Security Enterprise Mission

The unclassified facility, opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 12, 2026, consolidates diverse advanced manufacturing technologies in a single location within the Sandia Science & Technology Park. Strategically positioned near Kirtland Air Force Base, CAMINO is designed to foster easier collaboration with both industry and university partners, accelerating research and development.

The center will focus on strengthening areas like materials science, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, and technology transfer, aiming to rapidly address emerging threats through a “design-for-manufacturing approach.” Mary Monson, Sandia’s senior manager of Technology Partnerships and Business Development, stated, “Sandia and our partners in the NSE have a rich legacy of strengthening the U.S. economy through partnerships and technology transfer.” CAMINO represents a deliberate effort to amplify this impact, transforming innovative concepts into tangible results, and pushing the boundaries of cutting-edge research.

Strategic Partnerships Enable Technology Transfer & Impact

The strategic positioning of CAMINO, just outside Kirtland Air Force Base, is no accident; it’s intended to streamline interactions with both industrial and academic partners who contribute to Sandia’s research and development needs. These partnerships are considered vital for translating innovative concepts into tangible results. Monson further emphasized that “CAMINO is a prime example of how we plan to amplify that impact in an ever-evolving landscape,” enabling rapid responses to emerging threats through combined capabilities and agile design approaches.