System Controls Solution Architect

Vertiv; Piove di Sacco; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertiv is seeking a System Controls Solution Architect for Piove di Sacco (PD), Italy. You will define system and commercial architecture for thermal controls, covering CDU systems, pumps, chillers and heat reuse, while coordinating with Offering Management, Sales, and Engineering teams.

You will translate customer requirements into technical specs, contribute to proposals, and ensure successful handover to commissioning, with a focus on energy efficiency and lifecycle services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in HVAC controls and data center thermal systems.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, sequence of operation, and electrical diagrams.
• Strong communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Define the system architecture for Vertiv’s thermal controls and optimization solutions on customer projects.
• Support solutions such as the Chilled Water Manager and Optimizer, Secondary Fluid Network Manager and future system-level platforms.
• Analyze customer specifications, sequence of operation documents, P&IDs, system architecture, equipment lists and project requirements.
• Define the required hardware and software scope for each project.
• Identify PLC/control hardware, I/O architecture, communication interfaces, HMI/SCADA requirements, software modules and integration points.
• Translate customer/project needs into clear technical requirements for the Controls Development team.
• Support preparation of technical proposals, architecture descriptions, compliance responses and customer-facing documentation.
• Collaborate with Sales and Application Engineering during pre-sales, tender and clarification phases.

Skills

HVAC controls

PLC/SCADA

HMI/SCADA

Customer requirements translation

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Engineering specialization (Automation/Energy/Mech/Electrical)

Tools

Ignition

Codesys

Modbus TCP

BACnet

MQTT

Unify

Job description

Who are we?

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.

Job Description

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

The Thermal System Controls Architect will be responsible for defining the technical and commercial architecture of Vertiv’s system‑level thermal controls and optimization solutions for customer projects. The role will cover the full thermal chain, including CDU systems, secondary fluid network management, pumps, chillers, heat rejection systems, heat reuse applications and plant‑level optimization solutions. This position will translate customer requirements, project specifications and site constraints into a complete controls solution, including hardware architecture, software scope, integration requirements, commercial assumptions, economics, risks, exclusions and upselling opportunities. The Architect will act as a bridge between Offering Management, Sales, Application Engineering, Controls Development, Project Execution, Commissioning and Service teams, ensuring that each opportunity is properly scoped, costed, documented and handed over for successful execution.

What kind of work will you be doing?

• Define the system architecture for Vertiv’s thermal controls and optimization solutions on customer projects.
• Support solutions such as the Chilled Water Manager and Optimizer, Secondary Fluid Network Manager and future system‑level thermal control platforms.
• Analyze customer specifications, sequence of operation documents, P&IDs, system architecture, equipment lists and project requirements.
• Define the required hardware and software scope for each project.
• Identify required PLC/control hardware, I/O architecture, communication interfaces, HMI/SCADA requirements, software modules and integration points.
• Define how the controls solution interfaces with CDU systems, secondary fluid networks, pumps, chillers, heat rejection equipment, heat reuse systems and higher‑level supervisory platforms.
• Support the commercial definition of the offering for specific opportunities, including scope, assumptions, exclusions, risks and deliverables.
• Support project economics, budgetary estimates, cost build‑up, pricing inputs and margin analysis.
• Identify upselling opportunities related to advanced control features, optimization, monitoring, analytics, energy efficiency, serviceability and lifecycle support.
• Manage requirement intake, clarification and alignment with Offering Management, Sales, Engineering and technical teams.
• Translate customer and project needs into clear technical requirements for the Controls Development team.
• Support preparation of technical proposals, architecture descriptions, compliance responses and customer‑facing documentation.
• Collaborate with Sales and Application Engineering during pre‑sales, tender and customer clarification phases.
• Collaborate with Platform Engineering and Business Unit teams to align project needs with standard platform capabilities and future roadmap synergies.
• Support project execution from initial definition through engineering alignment and handover to commissioning.
• Ensure a clear handover package to commissioning, including scope, controls architecture, requirements, open points, assumptions, risks and project‑specific constraints.
• Capture lessons learned from projects and provide feedback to Offering Management for roadmap and product improvement.

What will make you successful?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automation, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• Experience in HVAC controls, liquid cooling controls, BMS, chiller plant controls, data center infrastructure, industrial automation or mission‑critical thermal systems.
• Strong understanding of hydronic and liquid cooling systems, including CDU systems, secondary loops, pumps, valves, chillers, heat rejection equipment, buffer tanks and heat reuse applications.
• Ability to interpret customer specifications, P&IDs, control diagrams, sequence of operation documents, I/O lists and electrical/control architecture.
• Good understanding of PLCs, SCADA, HMI, industrial networks and communication protocols.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into commercial scope, cost assumptions and project deliverables.
• Experience working with Sales, Application Engineering, Offering Management, Engineering, Project Management, Commissioning and Service teams.
• Ability to manage technical clarification, scope definition and customer expectation alignment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex controls topics to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with chilled water plant management, liquid cooling systems, secondary fluid networks or data center thermal infrastructure.
• Experience with system‑level controls, supervisory control platforms, optimization layers, energy management or analytics.
• Familiarity with Ignition, Unify, Codesys, Modbus TCP, BACnet, MQTT or similar technologies.
• Experience in technical sales support, solution architecture, application engineering, offering management or project engineering.
• Knowledge of energy optimization, plant sequencing, control stability, heat reuse strategies and lifecycle service opportunities.
• Experience supporting global projects across multiple regions.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this role in Piove di Sacco (PD), Italy is between 50.000€ to 60.000€ 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 [e-mail].

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