Before coming to Claremont in 1983, he was a professor at Stanford University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Southern California, and Southern Methodist University. He was a professor for over 30 years and served as department chair 15 years.
Prior to his academic career, he worked for 16 years in research and development organizations including nine years at SRI International.
Prof. Gray retired in May 2001, but continued to teach, do research, consult, and curate the Paul Gray PC Museum at Claremont Graduate University.