Peter graduated from Mohawk College's Metallurgy and Materials Engineering Technology program in 1990. He joined the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL) that same year and began his career working on energy audits in foundries under Ontario Hydro's Energy Smart program. He was also involved in research on sand reclamation, recycling, and moulding processes for various metal casting technologies, including lost-foam casting and investment casting.

As a member of MTL's Mobile Foundry Laboratory program, Peter travelled across Canada providing advice to Canadian foundries on sustainable technologies that could be incorporated into their moulding and casting processes. He was also part of an MTL team involved in developing lead-free copper alloys.

He worked on various other processes for clients such as counter-gravity casting, vacuum-assisted casting for aerospace components, and other hybrid processes to address special needs in industry. Recent work includes development of aluminum alloys for lightweight diesel engines, development of a magnesium sheet casting facility at CANMET, and design of the new lab building at the McMaster Innovation Park.

He worked as the technical lead on the production of the Canadian Victoria Cross, and volunteers every year to participate in National Science and Technology Week. The goal is to promote science to young Canadians.