In order to improve the frontal crash performance of an Aluminum Space Frame Vehicle, this presents a systematic optimal design process to maximize the crush energy absorption capacity of side-members while satisfying the maximum displacement constraint. In this study, five design types are studied for selecting a good collapse initiator. Then, for the selected collapse initiator type, 7 design variables are defined to represent cross section shape, thickness and bead interval. The systematic optimization processor, R-INOPL uses DOE, RSM and numerical optimization techniques. R-INOPL uses only 14 analyses to solve the 7 design variable optimization problem the final design can improve 103.9% of the internal energy and reduce 13.9% of the maximum displacement.