We　introduce　a　simple　yet　versatile　protocol　to　inverse　engineer　the　time-dependent　Hamiltonian　in　two-　and　three-level　systems.　In　the　protocol,　by　utilizing　a　universal　SU(2)　transformation,　a　given　speedup　goal　can　be　obtained　with　large　freedom　to　select　the　control　parameters.　As　an　illustration　example,　the　protocol　is　applied　to　perform　population　transfer　between　nitrogen-vacancy　(NV)　centers　in　diamond.　Numerical　simulation　shows　that　the　speed　of　the　present　protocol　is　fast　compared　with　that　of　the　adiabatic　process.　Moreover,　the　protocol　is　also　tolerant　to　decoherence　and　experimental　parameter　fluctuations.　Therefore,　the　protocol　may　be　useful　for　designing　an　experimental　feasible　Hamiltonian　to　engineer　a　quantum　system.　©　2017　American　Physical　Society.