Spatial intensity distribution is a critical factor of pulsed laser transformation hardening. The existing two-dimensional spot-array designed as uniform density distribution cannot satisfy application requirements completely. A reverse method was proposed to design the intensity distribution based on finite element (FE) analysis. A FE model for simulating pulsed laser transformation hardening was established. In the model, temperature-dependent thermo-physical properties of material and transformation were taken into account. Temperature field and shape of predicted hardening calculated from the model was verified with experimental results. Research on relationship between distribution parameters and temperature field was carried out. With the validated FE model, the target temperature field or shape hardening layer was achieved by adjusting distribution parameters of the spot-array, and the optimal design of the intensity distribution was subsequently obtained. Aiming at surface hardening requirements of automobile′s stamping die, the method had been applied to gain an intensity distribution design with application value. The results showed that the method was feasible and capable of providing bases for designing shaping lens and making the design more predictable.