On 19 January 2017, Paulino returned to Grêmio Osasco,[1] but finished the year back at Audax in the Série D. In 2018, he was loaned to Audax Rio for the Campeonato Carioca Série B1, and signed for Bangu on 19 November of that year.[2]
On 23 April 2019, Paulino was announced at Guarani, on loan from Bangu.[3] He signed a permanent contract with the club for the 2020 campaign, and renewed his contract on 11 May of that year.[4]
On 15 February 2021, Paulino agreed to a contract with Inter de Limeira.[5] On 31 May, he moved to Brusque in the second division,[6] but was mainly a backup option.
In November 2021, Paulino joined Santo André.[7] Regularly used, he moved to Ferroviária the following 6 April,[8] before being loaned to Ituano on 5 August.[9]
On 12 December 2022, Paulino signed a permanent deal with Ituano,[10] and was an undisputed starter in the club's 2023 Campeonato Paulista run.
^"Jefferson é o novo reforço do Bugre" [Jefferson is the new addition of Bugre] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Guarani FC. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
^"Jefferson Paulino é o novo goleiro da Ferroviária" [Jefferson Paulino is the new goalkeeper of Ferroviária] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Associação Ferroviária de Esportes. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.