Take on compiler - back with cunning plan (6)
I believe the answer is:
employ
'take on' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'compiler back with cunning plan' is the wordplay.
'compiler' becomes 'me' (the person who is writing these clues).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'cunning plan' becomes 'ploy' (I've seen this before).
'me' written backwards gives 'em'.
'em'+'ploy'='EMPLOY'
(Other definitions for employ that I've seen before include "Give paid work to" , "Put on the payroll" , "Take on (staff)" , "Give work to (person)" , "Occupy" .)