<p>Active magnetic bearings (AMBs) enable active control of vibration and frictionless suspension for high-speed rotors. This paper focuses on the design optimization of multipoles large AMBs for industrial rotors to accommodate increasing loads and diameters. The design objective is to minimize the bearing volume while providing the required bearing capacity, taking into consideration the design constraints imposed. A magnetic force model based on magnetic circuit theory is derived for 8-, 12-, and 16-pole bearings. The magnetic force equations are derived as function of the number of poles of the AMB. Two different optimization techniques are implemented: Sequential quadratic programming (SQP), and genetic algorithm (GA). The results of the two methods are compared. Parameters for the obtained designs are calculated to evaluate the optimized design. The design procedure and optimization problem have been successfully applied to selected case studies including an industrial rotor. The optimization results show a reduction in the bearing initial design volume. Furthermore, design curves are generated by solving the design optimization problem for a range of bearing loads and shaft diameters. This paper proposes a simple and efficient design procedure for multipoles magnetic bearings. The analytical equations for multipoles AMB are derived based on the equivalent circuit theory. The bearing model is integrated in the design formulation for bearing design optimization. In addition, design curves are generated to guide the design of the multipoles bearing dimensions for industrial rotor applications using the load and diameter design conditions.</p>