Application Validation Manager – Liquid Cooling
About the role
The Application Validation Manager at Vertiv leads the strategy, execution, and team development for application-focused validation of liquid cooling systems. This role ensures products are validated not only to design specifications but also to real-world customer applications, where mechanical, electrical, and controls systems must operate seamlessly together.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of application validation strategies aligned with customer requirements and product roadmaps.
Define validation approaches that simulate real-world operating conditions, including environmental extremes, load variability, and system interactions.
Ensure alignment between application validation, DVT, and NPDI milestones.
Lead and develop a team of application validation engineers, fostering strong technical capability in system-level testing and cross-disciplinary validation.
Provide direction on validation methodologies, test planning, and execution priorities.
Build team expertise in controls validation, system integration, and application-based testing.
Oversee validation activities that span mechanical, electrical, and controls systems, ensuring proper interaction across all subsystems.
Ensure testing covers dynamic operating conditions such as startup, shutdown, transient loads, and off-design scenarios.
Validate system integration with customer infrastructure, including facility water systems, controls interfaces, and IT loads.
Lead first-of-kind testing initiatives with customers and partners, validating new system designs in real-world or simulated environments.
Support technical discussions with customers regarding system performance, behavior, and application-specific considerations.
Oversee validation of controls algorithms, sequencing logic, and system responses under normal and fault conditions.
Ensure proper interaction between sensors, actuators, firmware, and mechanical systems.
Drive resolution of issues related to control stability, fault handling, and system response.
Ensure validation plans include failure mode and edge-case testing, such as sensor failures, flow disruptions, and thermal excursions.
Validate system robustness and recovery under abnormal or degraded operating conditions.
Partner with engineering teams to support FMEA and reliability improvement efforts.
Partner with product management, systems engineering, DVT, and manufacturing teams to ensure application readiness throughout NPDI.
Provide application-focused input into design reviews, highlighting risks and validation gaps.
Ensure traceability between customer requirements, validation activities, and test results.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
8+ years of experience in product validation, application engineering, or system-level testing.
3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or technical programs.
Strong understanding of thermal-fluid systems, controls, and electromechanical integration.
Experience working across disciplines (mechanical, electrical, firmware/controls).
Experience supporting NPDI or structured product development processes.
Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with liquid cooling systems, CDUs, or thermal management technologies.
Familiarity with controls systems, PLCs, or embedded firmware validation.
Experience validating systems across environmental and operating ranges.
Experience working directly with OEM customers or partners on system validation.
Knowledge of FMEA, reliability engineering, and failure mode validation.