A method for forming an optimized radiation shield design for a component including providing a computer system programmed to generate data files that define a component radiation shield having an optimized design based on pre-stored data defining particular radiation characteristics and user-provided data defining radiation shield design criteria. Radiation shield design criteria are inputted into the computer system which processes the inputted radiation shield design criteria and the pre-stored data defining particular radiation characteristics in order to generate data files defining an optimized design for a component radiation shield. The generated data files defining the optimized design for a component radiation shield are provided to a metallic three-dimensional printing system. The three-dimensional printing system is then activated to form a component radiation shield using a predetermined metal powder and the generated data files that define the optimized component radiation shield design. The formed component radiation shield is then attached to the component or the circuit board.