Sabahattin Kirkan completed his primary and secondary education in Istanbul. 1956-1957 He graduated from Vefa High School. He completed his higher education at Istanbul Technical University. Graduated as Mechanical Engineer in 1962.
In 1962, he worked as a Manufacturing Engineer at the Gümüş Motor factory. Between 1962 and 1964, he worked as a reserve officer at the Military Construction Real Estate Directorate in Sivas.
He worked as a Process Engineer in the Turkish Automotive Industry from 1964 to 1966, and as Assistant General Manager in Haymak Casting and Fittings industry from 1966 to 1967. He did internship and examination studies in the Turkish Automotive Industry in Germany for 1 semester.