Peter V. Johnston, Ph.D.
Technical Problem Solver · Automation & Internal Tools
Seattle, WA · pvjohnst@gmail.com · pvjohnston.com · github.com/pvjohnston
Technical problem solver with a Ph.D. in chemistry and experience turning loosely defined operational needs into working software. Build internal applications, automate document and data workflows, and connect information across teams. Bring scientific reasoning, hands-on operations experience, and AI-assisted development to problem framing, implementation, testing, and iterative improvement.
Core competencies
Problem solving & analysis
Requirements discovery · workflow design · quantitative analysis · root-cause investigation · research synthesis.
Internal tools & automation
Web applications · API integration · document automation · mobile workflows · AI-assisted development · testing and validation.
Data & implementation
JavaScript / TypeScript · React · Firebase · SQL · Google Apps Script · advanced Sheets · Docs and Drive automation.
Technical communication
Scientific and technical writing · interactive data visualization · operating procedures · translating complex requirements into usable tools.
Experience
Grey Wolfe Construction — Project Coordinator
Jan 2026–Present · Seattle, WA
Coordinate construction projects while designing and building the internal systems that support office and field operations.
- Designed and built connected applications for job administration and delivery coordination, bringing scheduling, materials, documents, and mobile workflows into shared systems.
- Automated selection letters, bid packages, supplier requests, scopes of work, and client correspondence from structured job data.
- Built procurement reconciliation to match orders with deliveries and flag discrepancies and outstanding materials by dollar value.
- Built and deployed Howl, an internal multilingual messaging application with job-linked conversations, translation, private photo sharing, and role-based access.
- Coordinate subcontractors, suppliers, schedules, procurement, and client communication; translate recurring operational problems into software requirements.
Freelance Administrative Consultant
2020–Present · Seattle, WA
- Built connected spreadsheets and custom expense-tracking and reporting systems with Google Apps Script; developed tools for nonprofit data collection and organization.
- Designed and produced a 28-page monthly newsletter reaching more than 1,000 readers.
Selected software & tools
Grey Wolfe Operations Platform Private internal applications
Construction administration and delivery tools combining desktop scheduling, mobile driver workflows, materials tracking, and document management. Built photo-upload recovery for intermittent connectivity and attributable histories of job updates.
Lineage Public citation explorer
Built an interactive research tool combining Crossref publication metadata and OpenCitations links in a chronological citation graph. Implemented D3 visualization, API request pacing, caching, and automated tests.
Howl Private internal communication tool
Developed a multilingual jobsite messaging application that keeps conversations and photos connected to construction jobs, with original and translated messages and controlled access.
Nonprofit data tools Public data & visualization
Built Nonprofit Search for Form 990 financial and operational data and Grant Flows for interactive grantor-to-grantee visualization.
Additional experience
Grace Connection Services — Executive Assistant
Sep–Oct 2024 · Marysville, WA
Supported executive operations, created digital expense systems, managed payroll, and authored training procedures.
Amazon — Classification Specialist
2017–2018 · Seattle, WA
Managed product-classification databases, developed hazardous-material search logic and SQL reporting, and monitored classification accuracy.
HMS Productions — Technical Designer
1995–2004 · New York, NY
Created print catalogs, marketing materials, and early web graphics for fashion-industry clients.
Education & research
- Ph.D. Chemistry — University of Washington, 2016
- B.S. Software Engineering — Arizona State University (in progress)
- McIntyre Scholar — Western Washington University, 2008; full-tuition scholarship
Research in organic electro-optic materials and silicon/plasmonic photonics. Current scientific notebook explores chemistry, physics, and computation through reproducible calculations and technical explanations. Selected publications:
- Structure–function relationship exploration for enhanced thermal stability and electro-optic activity in monolithic organic NLO chromophores. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2016.
- Benzocyclobutene barrier layer for suppressing conductance in nonlinear optical devices during electric field poling. Applied Physics Letters, 2014.