Born in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Josimar joined Internacional's youth setup in 2003 at the age of 16.
On 21 January 2007 he made his first team debut, coming on as a late substitute in a 0–0 Campeonato Gaúcho home draw against Novo Hamburgo.
[1] Rarely used by Inter, Josimar spent time on loan at Brasil de Pelotas, Fortaleza, Al-Watani and Ponte Preta, establishing himself as a starter with the latter and contributing with three goals in 24 league appearances during their promotion campaign.
He scored his first professional goal on 24 October 2008 while still at Fortaleza, netting his team's first in a 2–2 home draw against CRB.
On 28 November 2016, whilst at the service of Chapecoense, Josimar was among the fatalities of the LaMia Airlines Flight 2933 accident in the Colombian village of Cerro Gordo, La Unión, Antioquia.