QA & Lab Manager

Copeland Controls Srl; Belluno; On-site; EUR 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Copeland is seeking an experienced QA & Lab Manager to join our Engineering organization in Belluno, Italy. This role leads the Quality Assurance team and the Application Laboratory, ensuring electronic controllers for HVACR applications are thoroughly verified, validated, and tested before release to production.

You will define testing strategy, manage budgets and equipment, drive automation, and collaborate with Product Management, Engineering, Technical Support, and global teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electronics or related field.
• 5–7 years in testing, validation, QA, or lab environments for electronic products.
• At least 2–3 years leading technical teams or labs.
• Knowledge of electronic controllers and firmware verification.
• Experience with HVACR systems and refrigeration fundamentals.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of QA Engineers and Laboratory Technicians.
• Plan team workload and allocate resources across projects based on priorities and release schedules.
• Define and drive testing strategies for new products and software releases from prototype through production release.
• Ensure product requirements are testable and support test plans, use cases, validation methodologies, and acceptance criteria.
• Promote test automation and continuous improvement of testing processes.
• Review test reports and advise on product readiness for release.
• Coordinate root cause investigations and support resolution of issues.
• Manage the Application Laboratory and ensure efficient planning of testing activities.
• Maintain calibration and operation of lab equipment and test benches.
• Manage laboratory budgets, equipment investments, and external testing services.
• Define and maintain laboratory procedures with safety and environmental compliance.
• Establish and monitor quality KPIs and field quality trends.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Support and global teams.

Skills

Leadership

English Proficiency

Test Automation

Lab Management

QA & Validation

HVACR knowledge

Electronic controllers

Instrumentation knowledge

Budget management

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Measurement instrumentation

Data acquisition systems

Test benches

CI environments

Calibration equipment

Job description

About Us

We are a global climate technologies company engineered for sustainability. We create sustainable and efficient residential, commercial and industrial spaces through HVACR technologies. We protect temperature-sensitive goods throughout the cold chain. And we bring comfort to people globally. Best-in-class engineering, design and manufacturing combined with category-leading brands in compression, controls, software and monitoring solutions result in next-generation climate technology that is built for the needs of the world ahead. Whether you are someone looking for a career change, a professional, an undergraduate student exploring your first opportunity, or recent graduate, we have opportunities that will allow you to innovate, be challenged and make an impact. Join our team and start your journey today! We are seeking an experienced QA & Lab Manager to join our Engineering organization in Belluno, Italy. This role is responsible for leading the Quality Assurance team and the Application Laboratory, ensuring that electronic controllers for HVACR applications are thoroughly verified, validated, and tested before release to production. The QA & Lab Manager will drive testing strategy, laboratory operations, team development, and continuous improvement initiatives while acting as a key partner for Product Management, Engineering, Technical Support, and global teams.

Estimated compensation: €53,000 - €58,000 Gross Annual Salary (RAL), depending on experience and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of QA Engineers and Laboratory Technicians, setting clear objectives and supporting professional growth.
• Plan team workload and allocate resources across projects based on business priorities and product release schedules.
• Define and drive testing strategies for new products and software releases from prototype through production release.
• Ensure product requirements are testable and support the definition of test plans, use cases, validation methodologies, and acceptance criteria.
• Promote test automation and continuous improvement of testing processes and methodologies.
• Review and approve test reports and provide recommendations regarding product readiness for release.
• Coordinate root cause investigations and support resolution of product issues identified during development or in the field.
• Manage the Application Laboratory, ensuring efficient planning and execution of functional, performance, and validation testing activities.
• Ensure laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and test benches are properly maintained, calibrated, and available to support project needs.
• Manage laboratory budgets, including equipment investments, consumables, and external testing services.
• Define and maintain laboratory procedures while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
• Establish and monitor quality and laboratory KPIs, including test coverage, defect detection efficiency, and field quality trends.
• Support compliance with applicable industry standards, certification requirements, and internal quality processes.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Technical Support, and global teams to ensure successful product delivery.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, testing effectiveness, and operational excellence.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in testing, validation, quality assurance, or laboratory environments for electronic products.
• At least 2-3 years of experience leading technical teams, projects, or laboratory organizations.
• Solid understanding of electronic controllers and firmware/software verification and validation processes.
• Knowledge of HVACR systems, refrigeration cycle fundamentals, and key refrigeration components.
• Experience with measurement instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and laboratory testing environments.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as Modbus.
• Experience with test automation tools and continuous integration environments.
• Experience in planning, budget management, and project prioritization.
• Professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience within the HVACR, refrigeration, or building controls industry.
• Knowledge of industry standards and certification requirements such as EN/IEC 60730, EN 60335, and EMC requirements.
• Experience with quality methodologies including Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, 8D, Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Experience working within international and matrix organizations.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities and attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to drive change and operational excellence.

About the Location

Belluno is home to one of Copeland's key engineering and innovation centers focused on developing advanced controls and solutions for the HVACR industry. The site offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative international environment, contributing to technologies that support sustainable and energy-efficient solutions worldwide.

Our Commitment to Our People

Across the globe, we are united by a singular Purpose: Sustainability is no small ambition. That’s why everything we do is geared toward a sustainable future—for our generation and all those to come. Through groundbreaking innovations, HVACR technology and cold chain solutions, we are reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in spaces of all sizes, from residential to commercial to industrial. Our employees are our greatest strength. We believe that our culture of passion, openness, and collaboration empowers us to work toward the same goal- to make the world a better place. We invest in the end-to-end development of our people, beginning at onboarding and through senior leadership, so they can thrive personally and professionally. Flexible and competitive benefits plans offer the right options to meet your individual/family needs. We provide employees with flexible time off plans, including parental leav, vacation and holiday leave. Together, we have the opportunity- and the power- to continue to revolutionize the technology behind air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, and cultivate a better future. Learn more about us and how you can join our team!

Our Commitment to Inclusion & Belonging

At Copeland, we cultivate a strong sense of inclusion and belonging where individuals of all backgrounds, and with diverse perspectives, are embraced and treated fairly to enable a stronger workforce. Our employee resource groups play an important role in culture and community building at Copeland.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Copeland is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or disability. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.

Work Authorization

Copeland will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the Country in which they apply. This is not a position for which sponsorship or work authorization will be provided.

No calls or agency requests please.

With $5B of global revenue, Copeland is a leading provider of compression products, electronics, software, and solutions across many applications within Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR), where macro and regulatory trends towards environmental sustainability, leads to changes in HVACR technology. Other products include other heating applications, food service and retail, transportation, and healthcare/life sciences. This new business also has a solution portfolio that manages, monitors, and controls refrigeration units in the commercial setting, as well as software solutions that measure and monitor temperature conditions of refrigerated goods in transit, where there is a greater emphasis on energy management/sustainability solutions globally.