1. A non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium containing a program of instructions that cause a computer system running the program of instructions to perform a process that includes: obtaining a set of simulation traces or test data that describe the behavior of a dynamical system for a specific set of operating conditions; identifying at least one contraction metric that satisfies contraction conditions, including: formulating a search for a candidate contraction metric that is suspected of satisfying the contraction conditions for the design of a dynamical system from the set of simulation traces or test data that describe the behavior of the dynamical system for a specific set of operating conditions; performing the search for the candidate contraction metric, wherein the search results in a candidate contraction metric; verifying that the candidate contraction metric satisfies the contraction conditions by performing a process that uses solvers based on decision procedures; and designing the dynamical system taking into consideration the candidate contraction metric.