[1] Poenaru started his professional career at Steaua București, but he did not appear in an official game for the club.
Poenaru made his Liga I debut on 19 February 2002, for Politehnica Timișoara, in a 1–3 defeat against Farul Constanța.
In his career Ilie played mostly for Politehnica Timișoara and Argeș Pitești with short periods spent at Metalul Plopeni, FC Gloria Buzău and Concordia Chiajna.
[2] After retirement, Poenaru started his football manager career and coached teams such as: Inter Clinceni, Voluntari or Dinamo București U-19.
In January 2018, he was appointed as manager of Liga II club Academica Clinceni.