Engineer tried installing old cutter (6)
I believe the answer is:
editor
'cutter' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'engineer tried installing old' is the wordplay.
'engineer' is an anagram indicator.
'installing' is an insertion indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'tried' with letters rearranged gives 'editr'.
'editr' enclosing 'o' is 'EDITOR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for editor that I've seen before include "Person who revises and prepares for publication" , "One is responsible for publication" , "Person in charge of newspaper" , "Media boss" , "Ted or I could bring out a newspaper" .)