Employer Spotlight Q&A: Tulmar Safety Systems

Employer Partner Tulmar Safety Systems is dedicated to protecting those who protect us. With over 30 years of innovation and expertise, Tulmar designs, manufactures, distributes, and services advanced safety solutions for land, air, and sea applications. Their solutions provide protection across defence, aviation, and civil sectors, with products ranging from tactical life preservers for the military to aviation training evacuation slides.

Here, we interview Darren Liew, Director of Human Resources at Tulmar, who regularly attends Carleton University’s recruitment events, to discuss how early engagement with students has shaped their hiring strategy, the benefits of hands-on experience at their Hawkesbury facility, and the qualities that help candidates stand out in a values-driven workplace.

Tulmar has attended a number of Carleton’s Career & Networking Fairs, as well as the Ottawa Grad Career Fair. How have these events been valuable in your recruitment?

Very valuable. These events let us connect with students while they are still shaping their careers, creating opportunities for genuine conversations. We’ve identified programs we weren’t initially recruiting from, gained insight into what motivates emerging talent, and built meaningful connections. Some of these discussions have directly led to hires. Currently, we have two Industrial Design graduates who joined our team, both of whom we met at the Ottawa Grad Career Fair in June. Those interactions helped us see the potential of the program and ultimately influenced our approach to developing our engineering team moving forward.

What should students and new grads know about working at Tulmar and your location in Hawkesbury?

Students should know that Tulmar is a place where early-career talent can grow fast and build long-term careers. As a mid-sized company, Tulmar is more agile; our team members aren’t limited to a single narrow role. Instead, they take on a variety of projects, learn across disciplines, and experience the full product lifecycle from idea to manufacturing. Plus, they see their work come to life in products used by first responders, major airlines, and international defence partners worldwide.

We’re also very proud of our bright, clean, state-of-the-art facility in Hawkesbury; it’s the kind of place you need to see and feel in person. We love welcoming students and visitors to walk the floor and experience how we work together under one roof.

Many of our team members relocated from outside the region and found that Hawkesbury offers both meaningful work and an excellent quality of life. Being central to Ottawa and Montreal, Hawkesbury is a great rural region to experience slower life with easy access to any city activities.

You attend a number of recruitment events. What can students and new grads do to make themselves attractive candidates at networking events?

The strongest candidates are those who research us beforehand, understand what we do, and bring something tangible to present – a project, a sketch, a sample – and explain how they can add value. When a student makes it clear they came to speak with us, they immediately stand out.

You mentioned hiring two students from the Industrial Design program at Carleton via the Ottawa Grad Career Fair. What qualities or skills do you look for in candidates who are early in their careers?

Curiosity and initiative are key. We seek individuals who ask insightful questions, learn quickly, and find ways to add value. A “get it done” attitude is highly valued here.

Do you hire from a range of programs, or do you tend to target your recruitment to specific programs or faculties? What types of roles do you hire for (full-time, part-time, co-op/internship, summer, etc.)?

We hire across design, engineering, and business programs for both full-time and co-op roles. Our internship program runs year-round, and when we find strong talent, we’re flexible – we’ve extended placements, created longer internships, and transformed students into full-time employees.

Is there anything else you would like Carleton students and graduates to know?

Tulmar is a values-driven organization, and that’s not something we say for branding—it’s something you genuinely feel when you work here. Our core values of Caring, Integrity, and Resilience guide how we treat one another, how we make decisions, and how we support our customers and our community. These values are embedded in our culture, our partnerships, and the products we build to protect people around the world.

For students and new graduates, Tulmar offers an environment where you can gain real, hands-on experience, build confidence, and contribute to meaningful projects from day one. If you’re looking for a place where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real difference, Tulmar is an exceptional place to begin your career.