This paper presents an optimal design of a permanent magnet actuator(PMA) using a parallel genetic algorithm. Dynamic characteristics of permanent magnet actuator model are analyzed by coupled electromagnetic-mechanical finite element method. Dynamic characteristics of PMA such as holding force, operating time, and peak current are obtained by no load test and compared with the analyzed results by coupled finite element method. The permanent magnet actuator model is optimized using a parallel genetic algorithm. Some design parameters of vertical length of permanent magnet, horizontal length of plunger, and depth of permanent magnet actuator are predefined for an optimal design of permanent magnet actuator model. Furthermore dynamic characteristics of the optimized permanent magnet actuator model are analyzed by coupled finite element method. A displacement of plunger, flowing current of the coil, force of plunger, and velocity of plunger of the optimized permanent magnet actuator model are compared with the results of a primary permanent magnet actuator model.