Abstract A volumetric receiver design process is proposed to respond wide range of power, outlet temperature, or mass flow rate needs. In the receiver model, concentrated solar radiation hits the inner surface cavity and heats the gaseous fluid passing through the porous media assembled between the cavity and the insulator. Porous media properties and receiver geometry are coupled in the design process to determine the best possible option. A two-step process starts with a parameter sweep to create a surrogate model. Then, gradient-based design optimization is performed using two different surrogate models to maximize the outlet air temperature for bounded design variables in receiver volume and outer surface temperature constraints. The proposed design process has the advantage of exploring more design options faster using the surrogate model and more accurate results using the base model in the plant-level simulations. The methodology is discussed by comparing the surrogate models and the model validation shows that over 95% accuracy is obtained using both surrogate models. Surrogate-based design optimization is compared as in solution time and the final results are compared with respect to the base receiver model.