About the position
The VP, Advanced Research & Product Innovation is a senior engineering and technology leader responsible for shaping and executing Vertiv's advanced research agenda and driving next-generation innovation across its global portfolio of critical infrastructure solutions. This role sits at the intersection of engineering excellence, disruptive innovation, and long-term technology strategy, ensuring that Vertiv remains a pioneer in future-ready products and systems. The VP will lead a dedicated advanced research function focused on identifying, validating, and transitioning emerging technologies across power, thermal, control, and mechanical systems. This individual will work cross-functionally with product, engineering, and strategy leaders to bring frontier-stage innovation into Vertiv's long-range product pipeline and support transformational growth. This position will be based onsite at Vertiv's Westerville, OH - HQ office location.
Responsibilities
- Define and lead a multi-year technology and engineering innovation strategy, aligned with Vertiv's long-term business goals and product vision.
- Build and manage a dedicated Advanced Research & Innovation team, focused on identifying and developing disruptive technologies (TRL 1-5) with potential to reshape future product architectures.
- Drive exploration of emerging engineering domains, including but not limited to: advanced thermal materials, high-efficiency power electronics, intelligent control systems, embedded edge intelligence, novel energy storage, and sustainable design practices.
- Collaborate with product engineering, business unit leaders, and the CTO organization to prioritize research investments that de-risk early technologies and create differentiated customer value.
- Develop and maintain forward-looking technology roadmaps that anticipate shifts in customer needs, market dynamics, and regulatory trends.
- Champion the transition of validated research into scalable platforms and manufacturable solutions through structured handoffs to product development teams.
- Establish engineering technical capability metrics and lead assessments to inform workforce planning, skills development, and succession for critical disciplines.
- Lead risk evaluation frameworks for early-stage innovation initiatives to enable smart, timely go/no-go decisions.
- Cultivate deep external relationships with universities, national labs, startups, research consortia, and government agencies (e.g., DOE, DARPA) to access cutting-edge innovation and non-dilutive funding.
- Serve as Vertiv's technology thought leader in industry forums, research collaborations, and with key customers-enhancing the company's position as a forward-thinking partner in mission-critical infrastructure.
- Foster a culture of engineering experimentation, rigorous technical thinking, and applied research, encouraging teams to explore beyond current product constraints.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, or Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline; PhD or MBA is a plus.
- 15+ years of experience in engineering or product innovation leadership roles, including experience in advanced R&D or new technology introduction (NTI).
- Strong record of leading multidisciplinary engineering teams from concept through to technology validation or product integration.
- Demonstrated experience in physical systems engineering-thermal, power, electromechanical, embedded systems, or industrial automation.
- Solid understanding of the product development lifecycle from research through to commercialization.
- Excellent business acumen and ability to link engineering innovation to strategic outcomes and competitive advantage.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills across technical and executive audiences.
Nice-to-haves
- Prior experience working with or securing funding from government-sponsored research programs, such as DARPA, DOE, NSF, or other federal labs, SBIR/STTR programs, or international equivalents.
- Background in translational research, technology scouting, or innovation portfolio management.
- Demonstrated success in building public-private research partnerships or consortia.
- Experience with sustainability-focused innovation, such as energy efficiency, decarbonization technologies, or materials circularity.
