  We present a general method to efficiently design quantum control procedures
for non-Markovian problems and illustrate it by optimizing the shape of a laser
pulse to prepare a quantum dot in a specific state. The optimization of open
quantum system dynamics with strong coupling to structured environments --
where time-local descriptions fail -- is a computationally challenging task. We
modify the numerically exact time evolving matrix product operator (TEMPO)
method, such that it allows the repeated computation of the time evolution of
the reduced system density matrix for various sets of control parameters at
very low computational cost. This method is potentially useful for studying
numerous quantum optimal control problems, in particular in solid state quantum
devices where the coupling to vibrational modes is typically strong.
