After completing his vocational training and studies, Harmen van Zijderveld began his career at Deutsche Bahn in 2002. After holding various positions in Group Management, he moved to long-distance transport in 2007, where he took over as Head of Business Development, Service Design and, most recently, Timetable and Operations.

From March 2018 to January 2024, he was Head of Group Development at DB AG, where he shaped the establishment of DB InfraGO AG. Harmen van Zijderveld had been on the Management Board of DB Regio AG since February 2024, where he was responsible for the Rail division.

Effective November 1, 2025, Harmen van Zijderveld was appointed to the Management Board of Deutsche Bahn AG by the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bahn AG.

Born in the Netherlands, he is the father of three children.