Manufacturing Test and Validation Manager

Maximize your potential. Minimize your footprint.
Nortek Data Center Cooling builds the systems that keep modern data centers running — from liquid cooling to large‑scale air solutions. Our work supports some of the world’s most demanding AI and hyperscale environments, and we solve those challenges with engineering depth and practical execution.

We keep things simple here. We communicate early, stay close to the details, and follow through. When issues come up, we address them directly, not with layers of process. Customers count on us because we do what we say and we keep projects moving.

Our culture is hands‑on and collaborative. People take ownership, move quickly, and help each other. If you like working with teammates who are straightforward and accountable, you’ll feel at home.
With the backing of Madison Air, we have the scale, stability, and manufacturing footprint to support complex, high‑growth programs.

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Test & Validation Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, standardization, deployment, and continuous improvement of manufacturing test systems across Nortek Data Center Cooling's manufacturing network. This role owns end-of-line testing processes, automated test equipment, validation methods, measurement systems, and test data analysis to ensure product performance, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Product Development teams, this leader will drive the development and implementation of robust test methodologies, scalable validation processes, and standardized manufacturing test systems that support product quality, operational excellence, and business growth.

Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Test Strategy & Leadership

- Develop and execute the overall strategy for end-of-line testing and manufacturing validation across multiple manufacturing facilities.

- Standardize test methodologies, equipment, procedures, and performance metrics across sites.

- Establish testing best practices to improve product quality, manufacturability, and production throughput.

- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on test effectiveness, reliability, cycle time reduction, and operational efficiency.

- Partner with plant leadership to ensure consistent execution of test and validation standards.

Test Systems & Automation

- Lead the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing test systems and automated test equipment.

- Drive improvements in test system reliability, uptime, repeatability, and measurement accuracy.

- Oversee integration of instrumentation, sensors, controls, data acquisition, and PLC-based testing systems.

- Collaborate with engineering teams to develop test requirements for new product introductions and product enhancements.

- Support troubleshooting of complex manufacturing test equipment and product performance issues.

Product Validation & Quality Assurance

- Develop and maintain manufacturing validation processes that verify product functionality, performance, and safety requirements.

- Ensure testing processes provide accurate, repeatable, and meaningful measurements of product performance.

- Lead root cause investigations related to product test failures and field quality issues.

- Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to implement corrective and preventive actions.

- Drive measurement system analysis and validation of critical test equipment.

Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement

- Utilize manufacturing and test data to identify trends, improve process capability, and drive operational improvements.

- Develop KPIs and reporting tools to monitor performance of manufacturing test systems.

- Analyze test yield, throughput, equipment utilization, and failure modes to identify opportunities for improvement.

- Lead initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving first-pass yield, and increasing manufacturing efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner with Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to support business objectives.

- Support new product introductions through development and implementation of manufacturing test strategies.

- Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise related to manufacturing testing, validation, and measurement systems.

- Support customer, internal, and regulatory audits as required.

Qualifications
Required

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, test engineering, validation engineering, quality engineering, or a related technical discipline.

- 3+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.

- Experience leading end-of-line testing, manufacturing validation, or product testing programs.

- Experience with automated test equipment, instrumentation, sensors, and industrial controls.

- Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.

- Experience working within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

- Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills.

Preferred

- Experience in HVAC, refrigeration, thermal management, industrial equipment, data center cooling, or related industries.

- Experience with PLC-controlled systems and industrial automation.

- Experience with data acquisition systems, HMI/SCADA platforms, and manufacturing analytics.

- Experience with measurement system analysis (MSA), Gage R&R, and statistical process control.

- Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) activities.

- Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma certification preferred.

Key Competencies

- Manufacturing Test Engineering

- Product Validation

- Industrial Automation

- Controls & Instrumentation

- Test System Development

- Root Cause Analysis

- Continuous Improvement

- Data Analysis

- Cross-Functional Leadership

- Lean Manufacturing

- Process Optimization

- Problem Solving

Why Join Nortek DCC

- Play an important role on a growing team

- Contribute to a company helping power the next generation of AI ‑ ready data centers

- Work in an environment with meaningful growth opportunities