Plugged In
Laura Stevens ’04 has the same questions and concerns about technology as everyone. As an editor for one of the world’s largest newspapers, she knows how and where to find the answers.
When triathlete Jonathan Huebner ’07 laces up for a long run or hits the bike trail, chances are he’ll use technology his own team helped design. As senior mechanical engineering team lead at Garmin — a global technology company known for its navigation systems and wearables — he spearheads the creation of next-generation products redefining the fitness world, from indoor trainers to cycling computers to GPS-enabled running watches.
But for Huebner, engineering isn’t just about technical expertise. It’s about people. Beyond building smart devices, the mechanical engineering alum co-directs a leadership development program for Garmin’s engineering teams worldwide, cultivating connections so ideas can move freely, and products feel intuitive, reliable and built for everyday life.
Ask him where his affinity for mentorship began and he’ll point to UCF, the place that first gave him a true sense of community.
“I met people [at UCF] who became family,” he says. “Through those relationships, I learned one of the most essential qualities of leadership: empathy.”
He shares more insight here.
On Having a Growth Mindset
I feel privileged to lead some of the best engineers in the world. What’s guided me most in this role is adopting a growth mindset — recognizing the complexity of my team’s work and empathizing with the challenges they face each day. That perspective led me to create the Mechanical Engineering Leadership Development Program, which equips engineers with practical problem-solving tools and connects them with mentors who have walked in their shoes.
On Owning Produce Creation
Garmin’s commitment to vertical integration allows our engineers to own their work “from cradle to grave.” Whether it’s wearables or cycling devices, they drive the design and partner across global teams. My job is to support their leadership and ensure their ideas reach customers worldwide.
On Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Mechanical engineers at Garmin are often called “the glue.” We’re embedded in every stage of development. Product managers bring the customer’s vision, we define what’s mechanically possible, and designers craft the look and feel. Our role is like the hub of a wheel, holding the pieces together so the entire design works as one.
On Finding His Calling
My senior year at UCF, I worked with Walt Disney World Resort to animate Daisy Duck’s costume head so the character could move her mouth and eyes. Watching our design come to life in the parks was a true lightbulb moment. I realized I wanted to spend my career creating products that push the boundaries of innovation. That project showed me how engineering could shape experiences people remember for a lifetime.
On Being Vulnerable
One of the most important lessons I learned at UCF was being comfortable with vulnerability. It’s OK to say, “I don’t have the answer, but I’ll figure it out.” That humility builds trust and fuels growth. Even as a leader, I ask my team to break things down for me. Admitting uncertainty isn’t easy, but it’s how you learn — and it makes you a better teammate. My advice to aspiring engineers would be this: Stay curious, read like you drink water and embrace what you don’t know.
“What’s guided me most in this role is adopting a growth mindset — recognizing the complexity of my team’s work and empathizing with the challenges they face each day.” — Jonathan Huebner ’07, Garmin Engineering Team Lead