04/01/2026
From Co-op Student to P.Eng | Meet Joanna Tian
When Joanna first set out on her engineering path, she thought biomedical engineering was the goal. But after gaining hands-on experience during her co-op terms with Blackstone, her interests shifted toward something more tangible, mechanical systems and rotating equipment.
"Being able to physically see and work around the equipment was a lot more enticing."
Starting at Blackstone as a co-op student supporting reports and proposals under the guidance of Mark Tabernilla, Joanna quickly immersed herself in the world of rotating equipment. With no prior shop experience, she leaned into every opportunity to learn, working alongside project managers, millwrights and machinists to build a strong technical foundation.
After graduating, she joined Blackstone full-time as a Technical Project Manager, gaining exposure to a wide range of equipment, repair challenges, and solutions. Today, her role has evolved to include supporting repair divisions, as well as reverse engineering and parts analysis, playing a key role in some of our most technical and specialized work.
Along the way, what was one of her biggest lessons? "Bridging the gap between technical knowledge and real-world application taught me that communication is just as critical as the technical work itself."
Joanna credits much of her growth to the people around her, from mentorship by her manager, colleagues, to the hands-on learning gained in the shop, which helped her build confidence and grit.
Now, Joanna has reached a major milestone, earning her APEGA P.Eng designation.
"Personally, I’m proud to have finally gotten it and shown that I have what it takes. Professionally, it’s more important than ever as we continue to grow our focus on reverse engineering and parts supply."
This achievement opens the door for even greater impact, including taking ownership of engineering designs, signing off on drawings, and expanding her involvement in parts design and reverse engineering.
Her advice for others on a similar path?
👉 Be intentional with your experience
👉 Seek out strong mentors
👉 Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable
Outside of work, you’ll find Joanna strength training, cooking, or bouldering.
👏 Congratulations, Joanna, on this well-earned achievement. We’re excited to see what’s next.
