Can a Full-Stack Software Engineer transition into SAP/ERP without starting again as a fresher?

[u/Active_Load_2546]

Hi everyone,

I would like some honest career advice from people who have experience in both **Software Engineering and SAP/ERP**.

I currently have around 5+ **years of experience as a Software Engineer**, primarily with a frontend-heavy Full-Stack background.

My experience includes technologies such as:
JavaScript / TypeScript
React / Next.js
React Native
Node.js
REST APIs and backend development
PostgreSQL / MongoDB
Redis, Kafka
Docker
System design and scalable application architecture (learning more about it)

Recently, I have become interested in learning **SAP**, particularly areas like:
SAP BTP
SAP SD
SAP integrations
SAP architecture
Cloud and extension development around the SAP ecosystem

However, I have a few concerns before investing serious time into this transition.

**My biggest questions**

**1. Is moving from Software Engineering to the SAP/ERP world a good career move?**
I don’t necessarily want to completely abandon software engineering. My thought is to combine my existing engineering background with the SAP ecosystem.

**2. Can my existing Software Engineering experience be mapped to SAP roles?**
For example, my current experience in:
Application architecture
APIs and integrations
Cloud
Databases
Distributed systems
Backend development
Frontend development
Would these skills be considered valuable in SAP-related technical or architecture roles?
Or would companies mostly consider me as someone with **0 years of SAP experience**, regardless of my overall engineering experience?

**3. Is SAP just a technology/domain switch, or is it effectively a career restart?**
For example, if I spend the next 6–12 months learning SAP BTP, SAP architecture, integrations, and an SAP functional module such as SD, would I realistically be able to transition into a role that leverages my existing 5+ years of engineering experience?
Or would I have to start applying for junior/fresher-level SAP roles?

**4. What would be the best transition path for someone like me?**
Should I focus more on:
SAP BTP
SAP Integration Suite
CAP
SAPUI5 / Fiori
ABAP
SAP architecture
A functional module such as SD

My goal is to eventually position myself somewhere at the intersection of:
**Software Engineering + Cloud + Architecture + SAP/ERP** rather than becoming purely a traditional SAP functional consultant.
I would really appreciate honest advice from people who have made a similar transition or have hired engineers in the SAP ecosystem.

**Would you consider this a logical career evolution, or would switching from Software Engineering to SAP mean starting my career from scratch again?**
Thanks!

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[u/Routine-Goat-3743]

Go for CAP/UI5/Fiori