In this Letter we describe the application of a derivative-free optimization technique, the surrogate management framework (SMF), for designing the shape of an airfoil trailing edge which minimizes the noise of vortex shedding. Constraints on lift and drag are enforced within SMF using a filter. Several optimal shapes have been identified for the case of laminar vortex shedding with reasonable computational cost using several shape parameters, and results show a significant reduction in acoustic power. Physical mechanisms for noise reduction are discussed. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.