Andrew Glynn

MSc in Design and Innovation

Galway City – Dublin Road

Can you tell us your name, job title, and the course you studied at ATU?

Andrew Glynn, Sr Manufacturing Engineer, Masters in Design & Innovation at ATU.

Can you share your career path to date?

I graduated from University of Limerick with a level 8 in Product Design & Technology in 2020. I then began working in Medtronic, Galway as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern in 2020, supporting manufacturing of various PVH products. From there I moved to DCB manufacturing to support the business as Manufacturing Engineer I & II. I began the part time Masters in Design & Innovation in 2022 and graduated in 2024. I’m currently supporting DCB as Sr Manufacturing Engineer, with a main focus on process and yield improvement projects.

What does your current role involve?

As a Sr Manufacturing Engineer, my role involves leading process development and continuous improvement projects for commercial production. I’m responsible for optimising manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost performance, while ensuring compliance with industry and regulatory standards. A large part of my role includes validating equipment and processes, troubleshooting technical issues on the production floor, and driving root cause analysis for quality or yield challenges. I work closely with cross-functional teams including quality, R&D, supply chain, and operations to ensure commercial production and project deliverables are achieved. I also mentor junior Engineers, manage capital equipment projects, and use data analysis to identify opportunities for automation, waste reduction, and productivity improvement.

What motivated you to start studying?

I studied Product Design & Technology for my Level 8 in University of Limerick. I have always been interested in Design and developing my skills further through a Master’s programme seemed like the next natural step to take.

I was motivated to expand my experience and strengthen my knowledge base in terms of design and innovation. While I had gained practical experience on the job, I wanted to deepen my understanding and improve my long-term career prospects. I also wanted to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone.

Why did you choose this course at ATU?

I chose this course at ATU because of its strong reputation, practical focus, and flexible delivery format which was the most important feature for me as I was working full time in Medtronic Galway. The course content was something I was comfortable learning more about as it aligned to what I had learned during my level 8. I also seen this course as a good opportunity to enhance my project management skills through the various deliverables in the course, which aligns with my career goals to work on projects that involve innovation in the Engineering space.

How did you find the process of studying in a flexible manner? What elements did you find helpful? Were there elements you found challenging?

The flexibility was one of the biggest advantages. Being able to access lectures and materials online allowed me to study at times that suited my schedule outside of the two weekly lectures. Having the weekend classes online was a great help to me and some of my classmates who were travelling from further afield also. It allowed us to manage the workload of the course along with our daily lives. We still had opportunity to meet face to face a couple of times as well throughout the year which was great. The main challenge for me was time management. Balancing deadlines with work and personal commitments required discipline and planning. However, developing those skills ultimately benefited me professionally as well.

How did you balance work and study?

Planning was key. I created a weekly study schedule and set realistic goals. I also communicated clearly with my family and colleagues about my commitments. Breaking assignments into smaller tasks made the workload more manageable and reduced stress. Also having good teamwork for the group assignments helped as it allowed us to spread the workload into more manageable chunks in areas we were best suited to.

In terms of your employer, were they supportive of your decision to study? Were there elements of the course that were particularly relevant to your current employer?

My employer was very supportive, both in terms of encouragement and flexibility when deadlines approached and study days etc. Many elements of the course were directly relevant, particularly modules focused on leadership, innovation implementation, and process improvement. I was able to apply what I learned almost immediately in the workplace.

What advice would you have for anyone considering studying a flexible learning programme?

Be clear about your goals and be prepared to commit time each week to your studies to achieve the masters. Stay organised throughout – for me I found it easier to dedicate a day during the weekend to work on the coursework — which freed up my evenings during the week. Keep in touch with lecturers and classmates, and don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed. Flexible learning offers great freedom, but it requires self-motivation and consistency to gain from it.

In what way has studying with ATU benefitted your career?

Studying with ATU has strengthened both my confidence and competence. It has enhanced my analytical thinking, decision-making ability, and professional credibility. The qualification has also positioned me for further career progression, particularly with project management.

Did this course provide any unexpected benefits to your career?

Yes, it improved my confidence, especially in terms of presenting projects during the course. It also expanded my professional network and exposed me to new perspectives from classmates working in different industries around Galway and further. These insights broadened my approach to problem- solving in my own work in Medtronic.

Did you find that the elements you were studying had practical relevance in your day-to- day role?

The main Master’s Thesis allowed me to focus on real workplace challenges here in Medtronic, which made the learning experience highly practical. The design and implementation frameworks we studied provided structure and clarity to situations I was already encountering in my role.