This paper deals with optimum PI controller design using genetic algorithm to improve control performance and robustness for an oil cooler system. The optimum PI gain was found to minimize an object function, integrated absolute error, and to satisfy control design specifications such as overshoot and settling time based on practical transfer function of the oil cooler system. The control performance and robustness were investigated by comparing indicial responses and Bode diagram analysis with respect to three kinds of PI gains obtained from different gain decision manners. Moreover, the robustness against to input disturbances, sinusoidal wave form and abrupt single pulse, was evaluated. The computer simulation results showed that the suggested optimum gain can establish desirable control performance and strong robustness with easy design process.