system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[MARVEL] Why doesn't Tony know what SHIELD is when his dad helped found it and they have a huge building in DC with their logo on it?
gpt
MCU Tony was happy to sell weapons, but didn't seemed overly concerned where they went. He may have been ignorant of world politics, or just didn't really care.

Alternatively, maybe Howard kept his involvement with SHIELD a secret. Tony had no idea his parents death wasn't an accident, which would have aroused suspicion if he openly worked for a spy organization.

or third option: Stark did know, and was messing with Coulson. Just like when he propped a laser up with Cap's prototype shield.