underling; subordinate official
Refers to a person in a lower position within an organization, especially in a workplace or official hierarchy. Often carries a nuance of being ordered around.
He's still just an underling, so he can't voice his opinion in meetings.
The underlings were made to work overtime on the boss's orders.
Compound of 下 (shita, 'below') and 役 (yaku, 'role' or 'official position').