diff --git a/awx/main/utils/execution_environments.py b/awx/main/utils/execution_environments.py
index ed6bb87f34..8e5ef7918a 100644
--- a/awx/main/utils/execution_environments.py
+++ b/awx/main/utils/execution_environments.py
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+
 from django.conf import settings
 
 from awx.main.models.execution_environments import ExecutionEnvironment
@@ -25,3 +28,16 @@ def get_default_pod_spec():
             ],
         },
     }
+
+
+# this is the root of the private data dir as seen from inside
+# of the container running a job
+CONTAINER_ROOT = '/runner'
+
+
+def to_container_path(path, private_data_dir):
+    if not os.path.isabs(private_data_dir):
+        raise Exception
+    if Path(private_data_dir) not in Path(path).parents:
+        raise Exception
+    return path.replace(private_data_dir, CONTAINER_ROOT)