A closed loop geometry based optimization method is developed in this work by integrating subdivision, reanalysis and metaheuristic searching techniques. For that purpose, subdivision surfaces using triangle meshes are simultaneously applied to CAD (computer aided design) modeling and CAE (computer aided engineering) analysis. In this framework, feature objects are defined by the subdivision model, so that the subdivision models can be controlled by geometric parameters. Global optimization with metaheuristic algorithms is then performed, and an independent coefficients (IC) reanalysis method is introduced to enhance the efficiency of optimization. In order to improve the accuracy of triangular meshes, the ES-FEM (edge-based smoothed finite element method) technique is employed for analysis work. The proposed approach is successfully tested in three real engineering geometry optimization problems. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.