A cloud architect plays a crucial role in a technology firm by designing and managing cloud infrastructure and services. This involves evaluating the organization's needs and determining the best cloud solutions to enhance scalability, reliability, and security. The architect collaborates with development teams to ensure that applications are optimized for the cloud environment and can integrate smoothly with existing systems. Additionally, they are responsible for establishing best practices for cloud usage, managing costs, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Their expertise is critical in enabling firms to leverage the full potential of cloud computing.