Dallin JEX Varner
I am a fourth-year architecture student at Utah Valley University with over five years of professional experience in the residential solar industry, primarily focusing on drafting and design. I’m now looking to transition fully into the Architecture field, where I can build on my technical background and deepen my understanding of architectural practice
My experience with CAD began in high school and grown ever since. I joined Blue Raven Solar after my first semester of college when I was looking for any job that used AutoCAD, but was happy to find one that had a special real-world impact. I created solar installation plan sets for a variety of jurisdictions across the country, adapting designs and drawings to meet the specific requirements of the many AHJ’s in 15+ metro markets. This gave me practical experience with AHJs, Utilities, and buildings codes like the NEC and IRC.
Over time I really focused on the quality of our deliverables and the experience of our customers. I moved into more quality-focused roles, including working directly with the field crews to troubleshoot install issues. Later, I became a Design Team Lead, where I helped train new hires in drafting standards and workflows. Teaching others how to use AutoCAD from the ground up became a key part of my responsibilities and gave me valuable leadership and communication experience.
While working 30+ hours a week, I’ve been pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture in a five-year program grounded in classical architecture and its design principles. The first two years earned me an associate degree in Engineering Design Technology. In my architecture courses, I’ve used Revit, Sketchup, and AutoCAD extensively and am especially interested in developing more advanced skills in Revit in a professional setting.