Aoife Plekker
Aoife Plekker, Senior R&D Manager Neuromodulation, Medtronic
Aoife Plekker has joined the Medtronic team as Senior R&D Manager in Neuromodulation, based in Parkmore, Galway. She brings 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, with expertise spanning research and design, process development, project management, new product introduction, and validation.
Her career reflects a strong focus and passion on continuous learning and technical leadership. Aoife holds a BEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering, PMP certification, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and a diploma in Gemmology. She recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Professionals, further expanding her capabilities in emerging technologies and digital innovation.
Throughout her career, Aoife has demonstrated the ability to lead complex global programs from concept through commercialisation, consistently building and developing high performing teams, optimising operational processes, and delivering innovative solutions across multiple clinical domains. Most recently, as Global Process Product Development Manager, she led cross-functional engineering teams across Galway and Minneapolis, providing strategic direction across process development, program execution, and mentorship. She has managed a wide range of engineering initiatives supporting clinical builds and commercial scale up of advanced medical technologies.
Aoife’s diverse industry experience spans Structural Heart, Interventional Cardiology, Peripheral Interventions, and Respiratory Products. She has successfully driven programs focused on product development, clinical trial support, process scale up, manufacturing transfers, and global regulatory alignment. Her proven expertise in driving yield improvement, streamlining operations, and implementing advanced technologies aligns with a passion for developing patient focused solutions and improving clinical outcomes.
In her role at Medtronic, Aoife leads the Galway based Neuromodulation R&D team and supports Interventional Pain functional initiatives.
She works closely with global cross functional teams to develop next generation neuromodulation solutions that integrate innovative engineering, clinical insights, and emerging technologies to advance the treatment of chronic pain and expand access to care for patients worldwide.
Outside of work, Aoife is married to Brian 17 years, she enjoys long distance running and trying to help coachs teach her three children Robin (10), Harrison (8), and Faye (2) in hockey and swimming, and ultimately to enjoy life.