This paper discusses the features of a new tool for engineering optimization problems. The new tool, Linearization Error Sequential Linear Programming (LESLP), includes an improved formulation of the well-established Sequential Linear Programming method. The LESLP algorithm is tested in seven structural optimization problems and two mathematical programming problems. The numerical efficiency, merits and limitations of LESLP are investigated in detail and compared with other general purpose optimization algorithms. Results indicate that LESLP is competitive with respect to other optimization algorithms published in the literature.