A number of structural optimization methods have been applied over the years to aid in the design process for structural components. The design criteria are often based on stress, strain, or displacement allowables which can be easily calculated with any finite element analysis model. For composites, the design criteria are often based on more detailed failure models at the constituent level which attempt to evaluate interlaminar shear and tension, matrix crazing and shear yielding, and fiber fracture. This paper looks at methods to be able to incorporate advanced composite failure models, including commercial codes and in-house proprietary models, into the optimization process to further improve the optimization results. A few case studies will be reviewed with a discussion on the challenges and potential solutions to incorporating these methods in a simple and efficient manner.