Senior Program Manager - Vehicle Development

Zero Motorcycles designs and builds high-performance electric motorcycles and powertrain systems for customers worldwide. We are seeking a Senior Program Manager, Vehicle Development, to join our Program Management Office (PMO) and lead sustaining activities and changes to our legacy high-power motorcycle product lines while supporting new product development initiatives.

This role is central to how Zero delivers on time and on budget.

The Senior Program Manager will own the full program lifecycle within our Jira-based product development process (PDP), partnering closely with design engineering, supply chain, finance, operations, and external suppliers and partners. They will also maintain and report on the business case for each program, ensuring financial accuracy and transparency throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

This position reports to the Vice President of PMO, Quality, and Operational Excellence, and requires a collaborative, process-minded leader who thrives in a fast-paced product development environment.

Working in different time zones and travelling (will be often required due to team activities in the USA and other territories).

• Lead sustaining programs for legacy high-power motorcycle product lines, including engineering changes, regulatory updates, cost-down initiatives, and new product introduction activities to ensure successful implementation.

• Manage multiple concurrent programs and projects across all phases of the product development process, from initiation through launch and post-launch.

• Define and maintain program plans, milestones, and deliverables in alignment with Zero's PDP methodology.

• Serve as a primary point of escalation for program issues, proactively identifying risks and driving resolution across functional teams.

• Own the creation and maintenance of Jira projects, initiatives, phases, activities, and tasks in accordance with Zero's PDP methodology, including hardware and software workstreams with interdependent schedules and deliverables.

• Ensure task owners across all functions maintain accurate status, progress, and completion dates in Jira.

• Facilitate regular cross-functional program meetings to align teams on activities, priorities, and status across all active initiatives.

• Represent programs during PMO-led meetings, delivering clear and concise status updates and driving accountability on open actions.

• Report program and project status clearly and consistently to stakeholders and leadership, including schedule health, risk, and action items.

• Continually improve PMO processes, workflows, and Jira configurations to drive efficiency and improve on-time development and delivery.

• Partner with the product sponsor to develop and finalize the program business case prior to approval.

• Own the ongoing accuracy of the business case throughout the vehicle lifecycle, collaborating with finance, the product sponsor, sales, and operations to reflect current assumptions and actuals.

• Report business case results periodically to stakeholders, identifying and escalating variances with clear context and recommended actions.

• Work directly with design engineering, software engineering, supply chain, finance, sales, operations, and external suppliers and partners to align on scope, timing, and deliverables.

• Coordinate across global teams, with flexible hours and up to 20% travel to support international collaboration.

• Facilitate effective communication across all stakeholder levels, from working teams to senior leadership.

• 7+ years of program or project management experience in vehicle development, with a track record of delivering complex programs on time and on budget.

• Direct experience in motorcycle, automotive, or powertrain product development; electric vehicle experience is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of product development planning methodologies, including experience managing programs with both hardware and software or firmware deliverables.

• Proficiency with Jira for program and project management, including creating and maintaining structured workflows, tasks, and reporting.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and update full financial business cases, including P&L modeling, ROI analysis, and variance reporting, in collaboration with Finance.

• Strong understanding of product development processes and phase-based development methodologies.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead without direct authority.

• Comfortable with flexible hours and up to 20% travel to support global teams.

• Experience with high-power or performance motorcycle product lines.

• Experience working on software-intensive or connected vehicle programs, including coordinating software and firmware deliverables within a hardware-centric development process.

• Familiarity with supply chain and manufacturing operations in a low-to-mid volume vehicle environment.

• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification.

• Residing in The Netherlands.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Zero Motorcycles, a leader and innovator in electric motorcycles and commercial powertrains, incorporates advanced technology, stunning design and commitment to environmental benefits. The EV space is growing dramatically, with Zero a leader in the two-wheel category and a rising star in powertrain applications to other OEMs electrifying sport and utility vehicles for powersport and industrial applications.

At Zero Motorcycles, you’ll join a passionate, fast-growing global team with a truly international spirit. While our roots in the United States, have branched-out to Europe and stablished in The Netherlands, our team now spans across more than 10 countries, representing over 15 nationalities—and counting! We thrive in a multicultural, multilingual environment where fresh ideas are welcomed, big dreams are encouraged, and success is celebrated together.

Our team is united by a shared mission and a love for what we do. Whether we're collaborating across time zones or catching up in the office, you'll find a group that’s driven, committed, and always ready to share a laugh.

We value connection beyond the work itself. From office lunches and Friday drinks to spontaneous barbecues when the sun’s out, and legendary Xmas parties and team-building days, we believe in having fun while we work hard.

Working with Zero Motorcycles, you’ll also have opportunities to represent us at events and trade shows—locally and internationally—if that’s something you enjoy. And as we continue to grow, so can you. We’re invested in your development and success, and we can’t wait to see where your journey with us will take you.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Inclusive and open-door culture with driven, fun colleagues.
• Work in a dynamic, innovative environment leading the EV revolution.