PGSL (Probabilistic Global Search Lausanne) is a direct search algorithm that is based on global sampling of the search space using a probability distribution function. PGSL has been applied to tasks such as design, diagnosis and control. In many situations, PGSL outperforms genetic algorithms and simulated annealing. This paper provides a summary of selected engineering applications of PGSL. Examples are timber shear wall design, model identification of structures, leak detection in water networks, control of tensegrity structures and optical measurements. The paper demonstrates the wide range of applicability of PGSL to engineering tasks.