[1] Cross has published more than 60 research papers in computing, and has provided expert testimony to the United States Congress.

[11] Cross earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1974 and subsequently joined the United States Air Force.

His experience also touched on software for cruise missile navigation, logistics, and air traffic control.

[6][12][15] While at Carnegie Mellon, Cross promoted more reliable software development practices such as code reuse.

[17] Cross was appointed Georgia Tech's executive vice president of research in 2010, assuming the position on May 1, 2010.