He seems to have been a born tinkerer and figurer-out of problems.
From the time.com
Brewer is entering his third season as a full-time starter and has been a double-figurer scorer for two Jazz playoff teams.
From the sltrib.com
More examples
Calculator: an expert at calculation (or at operating calculating machines)
Figuring is the process of final polishing of an optical surface to remove imperfections or modify the surface curvature to achieve the shape required for a given application.
Worked in the pottery industry producing relief figures from moulds for the purpose of decorating pottery.