Controls Engineer

At Vertiv, we’re on a mission to empower the people that will power the future. From a simple swipe to life-changing medicines, from push notifications to generative AI. We design, manufacture, and service the products and solutions that keep the world connected. With $6.9 billion in sales, a strong customer base and global reach spanning nearly 70 countries, we are uniquely positioned to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people.

We are currently seeking a Controls Engineer to join our dynamic team in Piove di Sacco (PD), Italy!

The Controls Engineer will design, develop, test, and support application control software for HVAC and refrigeration systems used in critical infrastructure (including data center cooling).

This role sits in the Engineer-to-Order (ETO) team, working on both standard product controls and customer-specific solutions, from requirements through commissioning. The Controls Engineer will collaborate daily with Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Software Architecture, Application Engineering, Validation, Manufacturing, and Service.

Control software

• Analyze product and customer requirements and contribute to functional specifications.
• Design, implement, and maintain control applications for HVAC/refrigeration systems (PLC / industrial controllers, IEC 61131-3 or equivalent).
• Verify and validate software against functional, operational, and quality requirements.
• Diagnose control issues in lab, production, and field; propose software and, where relevant, hardware improvements.
• Maintain technical documentation: Sequences of Operation (SOO), functional descriptions, control logic, and interface specs.
• Define requirements for HMI/user interfaces, communication networks, and protocol integration (e.g. Modbus, BACnet, CAN, EtherNet/IP).

Delivery with other teams

• Support Application Engineering on new functions and customer-specific solutions.
• Support Lab / Product Validation, including customer witness tests.
• Support Manufacturing on production deployment and end-of-line testing.
• Support Service and field teams on troubleshooting, commissioning, Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and Integrated System Testing (IST) when required.
• Work with Quality on controls-related non-conformities; support Sales on technical discussions when needed.
• Deliver targeted technical training to internal teams and customers on specific solutions.

Other responsibilities:

• Participate in design and requirements reviews; follow Vertiv engineering standards, safety rules, and the software development process.
• Use version control and configuration management (Git, GitHub).
• Provide clear project status and manage multiple deliveries to agreed dates.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Automation, Mechatronics, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 2 years relevant project experience working with controls and automation equipment related to development, programming, debugging, as well as support and troubleshooting (IEC 61131-3 or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of HVAC, chillers, or refrigeration, including typical compressor types and how control logic interacts with the thermodynamic cycle.
• Familiarity with at least some of: Modbus, BACnet, CAN, EtherNet/IP.
• Ability to write clear technical documentation in English and work in an international, multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in at least one of: prototype bring-up, lab testing, commissioning, or product validation.

Nice-to-have

• Deeper refrigeration/thermodynamics or fluid-dynamics background applied to controls (superheat, capacity control, oil management, etc.).
• C/C++, C#, or Python for tools, simulation, or complementary application software.
• Knowledge of software version-control systems (Git, GitHub)
• HMI/web interfaces (including JavaScript/HTML where relevant).
• OPC UA, BMS integration, or data-center cooling applications.
• Experience in a regulated / process-driven product environment.
• Customer-facing commissioning or training. 

• MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and general computer literacy 
• Good English written and oral communication skills 
• Must be a self-starter, team player, work well with others and have a positive attitude 
• Must be a creative thinker, results oriented, focused, and attentive to detail and accuracy 
• Must have ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines 
• Must be organized, detail oriented, and able to think designs through completely

We are looking for someone who will: Work on structured troubleshooting and root-cause analysis; ensure quality in a process-driven environment; has the ability to work independently without losing alignment with Electrical, Mechanical, and Software Architecture.

If YOU are the person we are looking for, feel free to apply and let's start drafting your future career in a healthy and growing environment!

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

The anticipated salary range for this role in Piove di Sacco (PD), Italy is between 41.000€ to 53.000€ gross per year (based on a full-time working week). Certain roles may be eligible for variable compensation and benefits. Where applicable, a comprehensive overview of the full benefits package and any additional compensation will be provided during the recruitment process in accordance with local legal requirements. Compensation is determined based on objective, gender-neutral criteria, including skills, experience, and job responsibilities.

The applicable National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) for this role is Metalmeccanico Industria.

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. 

We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to help.join@vertivco.com.

If you are interested in applying or learning more about this role, please visit the company’s career page located on Vertiv.com/Careers