Director, Validation Testing

Job Summary

We are seeking a strategic and technically accomplished Director, Validation Testing to lead the global definition, governance, and advancement of engineering test and design validation test (DVT) practices across the company. This role will serve as the overall DVT Lead for Vertiv and will be responsible for establishing and enforcing corporate standards for DVT processes, test lab operations, and test automation capabilities. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in engineering validation, test lab operations, and cross-functional leadership, with a passion for driving consistency, innovation, and measurable performance across a global engineering organization.

This position will be based onsite at Vertiv's Delaware, OH or Westerville, OH location.

Responsibilities:

• Corporate Standards & Governance
  • Define and maintain the global DVT process framework, including entry/exit criteria, test plan templates, and compliance metrics.
  • Own and drive DVT consistency and process adherence across all business units and product lines.
  • Standardize test equipment, tools, and advanced test methods (e.g., HIL, SIL) across product lines and regions.
• Test Lab Strategy & Operations
  • Set and enforce standards for the operation, utilization, and technical capability of engineering test labs globally.
  • Work with the GBU test leads to develop lab capacity expansion strategies and align lab resources with project needs.
  • Drive a consistent approach on global lab infrastructure investments and foster collaboration with external compliance and test houses.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead a geographically distributed team of test specialists and a centralized Core Engineering Test Automation team.
  • Coach and train teams on DVT execution and best practices.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, technical excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with product line engineering teams to ensure alignment and compliance with DVT standards.
  • Collaborate with global stakeholders to drive adoption of advanced test methodologies and digital validation tools.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in engineering validation, product testing, or lab operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• A track record of success in implementing and executing validation of complex electromechanical systems. 
• Proven experience developing and implementing global standards and processes.
• Strong understanding of test automation, lab instrumentation, and advanced validation techniques.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in a matrixed, global engineering environment.
• A basic understanding of Lean and Six Sigma concepts is required, and formal DFx training or a Six Sigma Green Belt is advantageous.
• Demonstrated understanding of business operation is required, with demonstrated success in managing team and project budgets.
• Self-motivated, capable of working with minimal supervision and in a timely manner.
• Excellent Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
• Residence in (or willingness to relocate to) the Columbus, OH area is preferred.  
• Travel:
  • Willingness to travel as needed, both domestically and internationally.  Travel commitments of up to 25% of business days may be required.

 

 

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv’s Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities. 

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS:  Safety.  Integrity.  Respect.  Teamwork.  Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

•  Customer Focus

•  Operational Excellence

•  High-Performance Culture

•  Innovation

•  Financial Strength

 

OUR BEHAVIORS

•  Own It

•  Act With Urgency

•  Foster a Customer-First Mindset

•  Think Big and Execute

•  Lead by Example

•  Drive Continuous Improvement

•  Learn and Seek Out Development

 

About Vertiv

Vertiv is a $8.0 billion global critical infrastructure and data center technology company.  We ensure customers’ vital applications run continuously by bringing together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services.  Our portfo