PostgreSQL may not be the most popular open source database but that hasn't stopped social networking site hi5.com from building a scalable architecture to serve 60 million members worldwide.

Like the popular MySpace, hi5 is used by predominantly young people to create Web sites and connect with global communities.

To power the portal, hi5 uses more than 50 high-powered PostgreSQL database servers, according to one employee.

The San Francisco-based company is now seeking skills to take ownership of its entire PostgreSQL architecture, including design and monitoring of the database server; capacity planning; performance improvements; storage management; architectural changes; uptime solutions; develop backup and recovery procedures; and issue resolution.

Hi5 is regularly ranked in the top 20 most popular Web sites according to Alexa, and the decision to bet on PostgreSQL will surely please the project's founder Bruce Momjian who was in Sydney this month.

To meet its requirements, hi5 is looking for at least two years of PostgreSQL experience on the Linux platform and at least five years of database administration experience on any major database system.

Experience with database replication techniques and implementing high-availability solutions is also sought after. Data warehousing experience will also be well regarded.

Hi5 develops multi-tier distributed applications using Java, including JSP, Servlets, Struts, and JDBC.