EXHIBIT 99.1



                             NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                  CERTIFICATION

In connection with the periodic report of Novellus Systems, Inc. (the "Company")
on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 28, 2002 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Richard S. Hill, Chairman
of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby
certify as of the date hereof, solely for purposes of Title 18, Chapter 63,
Section 1350 of the United States Code, that to the best of my knowledge:

           (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
               or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
               and

           (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
               material respects, the financial condition and results of
               operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods
               indicated.

Date: November 12, 2002               By: /s/ Richard S. Hill
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Richard S. Hill
                                          Chairman of the Board of Directors and
                                          Chief Executive Officer