Sr. Program Manager - Emerging Markets

Overview

ALSO is an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We are a team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators focused on creating vertically integrated, small EVs to meet global mobility challenges. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is looking for a Senior Staff Vehicle Program Leader, Emerging Markets to own and lead the definition and execution of detailed, day-to-day, end-to-end, full project lifecycle program activities of new vehicle programs for electric two-wheel vehicles. The role includes integrating Global activities within Product Development, Supply Chain, Operations and Go-To-Market (GTM) functions.

• Own the product architecture definition from vehicle to major system level, ensuring requirements, new technology, hardware & software development and system integration deliver the best product-market fit.
• Own the master plan: create, baseline, and continuously maintain the High-Level Plan (HLP) and the Detailed Execution Plan across concept → design → all development phases → SOP and GTM, covering technical, cost, and timing.
• Run the program rhythm: lead weekly design/technical/cost/timing reviews; publish actions, owners, and due dates; manage risks; drive issue closure with evidence.
• Coordinate creation/updates of the Statement Of Requirements/Work (SOR/W), DVP&R, and acceptance criteria with Global Product, Systems/Tech teams, suppliers and local engineering.
• Own component-level BoM targets vs. actuals, change control, PPAP/APQP gates, and supplier readiness (capacity, quality, logistics).
• Orchestrate the Concept Development partner interface: deliverables, design releases, reviews, and decision logs to ensure design intent matches Product-Market fit requirements.
• Define and manage software/firmware/hardware release trains; maintain configuration matrix and homologation status.
• Plan SKD/CKD/FBU pathways; align facility layout, tooling, test benches, and staffing; ensure line readiness for each ramp stage.
• Sequence charging and energy integration with vehicle releases; ensure compatibility and uptime SLAs.
• Plan prototype & pilot entry/exit criteria, fleet size, telemetry KPIs, fix funnels, and cut-in strategy for design changes; own go/no-go gates.
• Track should-cost vs. actual, pursue VA/VE opportunities, localization savings, and coordinate with finance on unit economics.
• Stand up dashboards for project metrics and milestones including schedule health, BoM cost, defect burn-down, and supplier readiness.
• Act as cross-functional glue: align Global Product, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Field Service, and GTM; surface blockers early and enable fast executive decisions.
• Manage compliance & homologation: run country-by-country certification timelines; ensure documentation, test evidence, and labeling are release-ready.
• Communications: provide crisp stakeholder updates with clear narrative on status, risks, mitigations, and next decisions.

• 8+ years leading complex hardware programs (EVs, two-wheelers, automotive, or rugged connected devices) from concept to SOP; 3+ years in Emerging Markets or similar operating environments is an advantage.
• Proven ownership of program plans & deliverables: HLPs, detailed Gantt/roadmaps, SOR/SOW, DVP&R, and gate reviews.
• BoM & cost control: experience with should-costing, VA/VE, Engineering Change, configuration management, and supplier negotiation to land target COGS and margins.
• Supplier/industrialization expertise: APQP/PPAP, line bring-up, process capability (CP/CPK), first-article inspection, ramp readiness; comfortable with SKD/CKD flows and customs.
• Systems mindset: ability to integrate battery/BMS, motor/inverter, VCU/ECU, charger/swap, telematics, and rider HMI; enough technical depth to arbitrate trade-offs.
• Release management: coordinating HW/SW/FW releases, OTA readiness, and traceability from requirement → test → field evidence.
• Field & pilot experience: ran pilots/fleets with telemetry, defect triage, root cause…