This paper presents the modelling, design and testing of a short-stroke linear actuator to be embedded in a battery-powered positioning device. The particularity of this small (1 cm3) electromagnetic actuator is that it has to provide a constant force along its nominal stroke (1 mm), required by the specifications. In order to achieve this goal, an analytical and two Finite-Element-Method-based models have been developed. A genetic algorithm that takes the force profile into account is used to maximise the nominal thrust force of the actuator. The prototype shows a force profile that has less than 4% of deviation over the stroke and a nominal thrust force of 1.35 N. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.