Born in Dronten, Netherlands, Paauwe played for Lyra, SV 't Harde and FC Zwolle as a youth.

In summer 2000 he moved to Eerste Divisie club SC Cambuur where he became first choice.

Two years later he returned to FC Twente where he replaced Sander Boschker when the latter was transferred to Ajax Amsterdam.

In 2005, he moved to ADO Den Haag but did not play much due to a knee injury he suffered later that year.

[1] In July 2011, he left the Eredivisie for Quick '20 in the Topklasse, the third tier of football in the Netherlands.