The development of an automated aerodynamic optimisation algorithm using a novel method of parameterising a computational mesh by employing user–defined control nodes will be presented. The shape boundary movement is coupled to the movement of the novel concept of control nodes via a quasi-1D-linear deformation. Additionally, a discrete third order smoothing step has been integrated to act on the boundary during the mesh movement based on the change in its second derivative. By implementing the discrete boundary smoothing both linear and non-linear shape deformation is achievable dependent on the preference of the user. The domain mesh movement is then coupled to the shape boundary movement via a Delaunay graph mapping. An optimisation algorithm called Modified Cuckoo Search (MCS) is used acting within the prescribed design space defined by the allowed range of control node displacement. In order to obtain the aerodynamic design fitness a finite volume compressible Navier-Stokes solver is utilized. The resulting coupled algorithm is applied to a range of case studies in two dimensional space including the design of a race car diffuser and a subsonic, transonic and supersonic intake.