To let the data be shared and collaborate between different application programs under the heterogeneous environment of different architectures and operating systems, a distributed collaborative optimization system (DCOS) based on CORBA is developed. Through it, the optimization of a complicated system can be divided into the optimizations of subsystems, combined with finite element analysis, to realize the concurrent optimization to improve efficiency and effect of the optimization. Because of its openness and hierarchical structure, DCOS can be adapted to different collaborative environments. In this paper, the structure of DCOS, the collaborative processes between subsystems and between subsystems and the finite element analysis are discussed. The application of DCOS to the optimization of the working equipment of an excavator is illustrated.